ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: February 15, 1996
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT: Consultant Award - Cultural District Parking and
Transportation Study
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT the Cultural District Parking and Transportation study be
awarded to Bunt and Associates; with a maximum fee of $52,000
(plus GST) as outlined in this report.
B. THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services and the
Director of Legal Services be authorized to enter into a
contract with Bunt and Associates for consulting services as
outlined in this report.
C. THAT the maximum fee be set at $52,000 (plus GST), with
additional funding in the amount of $13,560 approved in
advance of the 1996 Operating Budget.
D. THAT Council authorize funding of $5,000 from the Parking
Sites Reserve in recognition of the City's role as a major
parking operator within the study area.
CONSIDERATION
Should Council not be prepared to approve "C" above, then it is
recommended:
E. THAT the study scope be scaled back to suit available funding
of approximately $35,000 to $40,000, as outlined in the
report.
COUNCIL POLICY
Consultant contracts over $30,000 require Council approval. Council
priorities for transportation are walking, biking, transit, goods
movement and the auto.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to seek additional funding to complete the
parking and transportation study in the sports and cultural district and
to recommend appointment of a consultant. This report also updates
Council on the status of private financial participation in this study.
BACKGROUND
As part of the review for a rezoning for the Plaza of Nations site,
concerns were raised regarding access to events at facilities in the
emerging sports and cultural district. There are potential concerns
with the number of new facilities in the area and with the impact of
simultaneous events. Recognizing this concern, Council approved the
following motion on March 28, 1995:
"THAT Engineering Services, in consultation with Community
Services, develop terms of reference for a comprehensive
transportation and parking study in the emerging sports and
cultural district to determine parking supply and demand and its
implications on access, with funding sought from area developers
for report back."
To address this, terms of reference were prepared and subsequently
approved by Council. The study is to review access needs, examine
sufficiency of parking, and explore opportunities to provide and
encourage alternative modes of transportation to and from events. The
total study cost was estimated at $50,000. On May 30, 1995, Council
approved $20,000 as the City's contribution toward the study, with the
balance of the funding to be sought from the adjacent sports and
entertainment facilities. The City's contribution is in recognition of
City facilities within the study area such as the Library and the Queen
Elizabeth Theatre.
DISCUSSION
Funding
The following major sports, cultural and business facilities were
contacted to seek participation on a steering committee and to provide a
financial contribution: B.C. Place, Northwest Arena Corporation (G.M.
Place), Livent Inc. (Ford Theatre), Concord Pacific, Downtown Vancouver
Business Improvement Association (DVBIA), Downtown Vancouver
Association, Parking Corporation of Vancouver, Imperial Parking and
Canadian Metropolitan Properties (Plaza of Nations). The study boundary
was expanded to the west to include Granville Street and overlap with
the DVBIA's area and is shown on Figure 1.
Most organizations contacted are prepared to participate on the steering
committee in an advisory capacity. Unfortunately, most declined to
assist financially due to lack of funds or perceived limited benefit.
With only a limited amount of support, the study boundary was extended
to include the DVBIA's interest. With this change and with follow up
contact with the above organizations, additional support was eventually
received.
We now have $5,000 confirmed from both the Downtown Vancouver Business
Improvement Association and the Parking Corporation of Vancouver
(through the Parking Sites Reserve). Both Concord Pacific Developments
and Canadian Metropolitan Properties are prepared to provide financial
support. A $5,000 commitment is expected from each. Together with the
City's existing $20,000 commitment, the total funding expected is
$40,000. We are continuing to pursue additional private funding of
$10,000; however, this funding cannot be assured and may not be
successful.
Study Scope
To meet the objectives of the terms of reference will cost $52,000 (plus
GST). This will permit a thorough, complete study with creative
solutions to the problems posed by the concentration of entertainment
facilities, including a public information session to gather
suggestions. Such solutions might include potential for multiple use of
parking facilities, improving pedestrian, cycling and transit access and
creative solutions to moving people in and out of this entertainment
precinct (eg. street car, event bus service). Current funding levels
are insufficient. The study has already been delayed substantially by
the request for funding. Although further funding is being pursued,
further delays to starting the study are not recommended. For these
reasons, it is recommended the City provide $13,560 in additional
funding for a total City/private funding of $53,560. If additional
private funding becomes available, then the City funding would be
reduced.
Should Council not wish to increase its commitment, the study could be
scaled back to meet the available funding. Because some of the data
(such as parking inventory) is already available, a meaningful study
could still be completed for this price. Pedestrian, cycling and
transit options would continue to be considered. However, it would lack
the creative aspect, and would have limited data collection and public
input. As well, the number of design conditions and future land use
objectives that can be considered would be limited. Additional design
conditions would add a measure of refinement to the analysis and range
of potential transportation strategy options.
Appointment of Consultant
Proposals were requested from three local consultants and have been
submitted by Bunt and Associates, IBI Group, and Reid Crowther. These
have been reviewed with Community Services staff and it is recommended
the study be awarded to Bunt and Associates. The Bunt proposal provides
the most creativity, good methodology with emphasis on pedestrian access
and alternative modes of transport. The principles from Bunt and
Associates will bring significant transportation experience to the
project and will provide good value to the City. The total cost of the
work proposed is $52,000 (plus GST).
CONCLUSION
Sport, entertainment, and business facilities are willing to take part
in a transportation study; however, there is limited financial support.
To date $20,000 of City funding is approved, only $10,000 of private
funding ($5,000 DVBIA and $5,000 Parking Sites Reserve -Recommendation
"D") is confirmed, and a further $10,000 is expected. Staff will
continue to pursue contributions. Protracted negotiations have delayed
the start of the study. To avoid any further delay it is recommended
that Bunt and Associates be retained to complete this study to a maximum
fee of $52,000 (plus GST) and that the City provide an additional
$13,560 of funding to ensure the study scope is not reduced. If further
private funds are obtained, then this will be reduced. If this
additional funding is not approved, then the scope will be scaled back
to meet the funding available. This will still allow completion of the
study, but with less creativity, public input and event scenarios.
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