Request for Proposal - PADCO Upper Floor Development

A Request for Proposal from Pottsville Area Development Corporation and Tamaqua Area Community Partnership seeking architects or design professionals to assist with upper floor development and revitalization in downtown Pottsville and downtown Tamaqua. Proposals are due by August 1st.

I. Purpose

Pottsville Area Development Corporation (PADCO) and Tamaqua Area Community Partnership are seeking proposals from qualified architects or design professionals to assist in the upper floor development of the historic downtown Pottsville and downtown Tamaqua. This project will serve as a powerful tool for visualizing preferred Downtown redevelopment and as a pilot for the redevelopment of historic Downtowns in rural areas. The ultimate goal of this project is to further the revitalization of Downtown Pottsville and Downtown Tamaqua and expand downtown livability by increasing Upper floor occupancy in the downtown area. This will be done by assisting building owners and developers with the implementation of state grant money to create downtown market-rate units.

II. Background

Pottsville is a historic third-class city and the county seat of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, located 97 miles northwest of Philadelphia along the west bank of the Schuylkill River. With a population of 13,346 at the 2020 census, Pottsville is a quaint, safe, and family-oriented community. The city is home to America's oldest family-operated beer brewery, Yuengling Brewery, founded in 1829, which draws nearly 100,000 visitors annually. Pottsville is also rich in industrial and cultural history, having been home to the Phillips Van Heusen Company (founded in 1881), the Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise (1925-1928), and numerous vaudeville performances. The city was chosen as a campaign stop by then-Senator John F. Kennedy on October 28, 1960.

Like many areas of Schuylkill County, Pottsville faced decades of decline due to the demise of the Anthracite Industry and the departure of textile companies starting in the late 1970s due to foreign competition. Many department stores that were located in the downtown area moved to local shopping malls. Today, Pottsville is a family-oriented community hosting diverse industries including financial institutions, government services, technology, health care facilities, law offices, and restaurants. The city has a significant daytime population and hosts approximately 100,000 tourists annually through attractions including Yuengling Brewery, Yuengling Light Lager Jogger, Yuengling Stars & Stripes Summer Celebration, Martz Hall, Pottsville Cruise, Block of Art, Jerry's Classic Cars and Collectibles, Sovereign Majestic Theater, and the Schuylkill County Historical Society.

The Tamaqua Historic District was established to recognize and preserve the character and architecture of Tamaqua's historic neighborhoods. It includes 976 buildings, three sites, eight structures, and three objects over 178.6 acres that have been deemed historically significant, with 97 percent contributing. The district is located 17 miles east of Pottsville at the eastern boundary of Schuylkill County and centered at the intersections of Routes 209 and 309 (Broad and Center Streets). The area developed as a coal center in the southern anthracite field with residential, commercial, industrial, public, religious, educational, and social buildings tightly arranged on narrow lots. The architectural styles represented most frequently include Queen Anne, Late Victorian, Italianate, and Colonial Revival, with a large number of buildings dating between 1900 and 1925. The commercial section includes mostly 3- and 4-story buildings.

Tamaqua's upper floor redevelopment efforts began with the implementation of a Main Street initiative in 1996 and were boosted through the 2005 Blueprint Communities Plan. A 2008 Tamaqua Upper Floor Market Study revealed great untapped potential in underutilized and vacant upper floor real estate within two blocks of the main intersection. Upper floor redevelopment is a key part of Tamaqua's 2022 Tamaqua Choose Happiness Plan.

Both Pottsville and Tamaqua have made positive efforts to improve their downtown districts through programs including the Elm Street Program. The City of Pottsville, alongside the Pottsville Business Association and PADCO, has undertaken the Continued Progress Project, a community-based vision, market analysis, and strategic plan for Downtown Pottsville. Tamaqua is the only borough in the state's CRIZ job-growth program, serving as a pilot for the program, which allows the borough to leverage state tax dollars by reinvesting them in underutilized real estate to attract development, encourage local business expansion, and create new jobs.

III. Certified Strategic Redevelopment Area

The Certified Strategic Redevelopment Area outlines the eligible property for Upper Floor Development and includes all areas within the border streets of Mauch Chunk Street to the south, Nicholas Street to the North, Route 61 (Claude A Lord Blvd) to the east, and 6th Street to the West. The northwest area should include the area of Mahantongo and Norwegian Street extending to 6th street. A map of the Certified Strategic Redevelopment Area is available in Section VI.

IV. Scope of Work

The Upper Floor Development Plan shall be comprised of the following aspects. Proposals should outline strategies and action items for addressing each of the following:

Working alongside PADCO to assist building owners and developers with the implementation of state grant money to create downtown market-rate units
Considering the historic nature of the individual buildings, their age, and preexisting architecture during the design process, prioritizing preservation especially on the exterior of the buildings
Working to ensure that all local, state, and federal zoning laws, the ADA, and safety code are being enforced and abided by
Determining Cost per Unit (CPU) considering engineering, plumbing, electric, HVAC, appliances, flooring, walls and ceilings, fixtures, sprinklers, fireproofing (2-hour drywall), elevators, waterline connections, and fire escapes that abide by safety codes
Determining appropriate amenities and expectations considering square footage, bedroom tiers, location, seasonal stability, central air, and central heat

V. Budget and Cost Breakdown

Accepted proposals will include a total budget with a breakdown of estimated costs per task.

VI. Available Information

A Certified Strategic Redevelopment Area Map is available.

VII. RFP Submission Directions

In order to receive a uniform format of responses and information from all prospective consulting firms, the following should be addressed and included in your submission:

Proposals should be submitted electronically only in PDF format including a letter of submission signed by an authorized representative of the architect or design professional to info@pad-co.com
Proposals shall be less than 10 MB in size and less than 15 pages in total length, generally limited to standard letter format (Cost Estimates and Work Plan/Timing may be in larger formats)
The proposal shall include a Work Plan and the projected and expected time period for the project
The proposal will include a summary of the architect or design professional's professional information and history, including any relevant previous experience
A summary of past projects that demonstrate the architect or design professional's experience in redevelopment and community upper floor development
Samples of previous plans may be submitted as an appendix without counting towards the page limit
Provide engineered drawings of the expected plan for the space
Provide an estimate of the expected overall cost of the project
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: August 1st

VIII. Evaluation

PADCO and Tamaqua Area Community Partnership will evaluate the proposals. Architects or design professionals may be asked to submit further written information. The committee comprised of representatives from PADCO and Tamaqua Area Community Partnership will evaluate the proposals and reserves the right to accept or reject in whole or in part any or all proposals and cancel all or part of this RFP process for any reason at the sole discretion of the committee and to negotiate contracts with the selected architect or design professional whose proposal is considered to be most acceptable.

The committee will make its recommendation based on the following evaluation criteria:

The degree to which the proposal responded to the RFP and Terms of Reference
The demonstration of relevant work experience and the professional reputation of the architect or design professional
Demonstration of experience in consulting and assisting the implementation of similar projects
The demonstration of creative approaches to community consultation and the revitalization process
The demonstrated ability of the architect or design professional to provide the services defined in this RFP
The total cost
The overall project timing

Architects and design professionals may be asked to attend an interview with the committee prior to final consideration.

The selected architect or design professional will be expected to enter into a contract with the Committee and will indemnify the Committee from all costs, charges, expenses, and other claims with respect to the job functions being carried out. This will include General Liability and/or Professional Liability Insurance.

IX. Contract Award

The final authority to award an architect or design consultant rests solely with the Committee. The lowest cost proposal will not necessarily be awarded the contract, as the selection will be based on the evaluation criteria and cost is only one of the criteria. The Committee will not be responsible for any preparations cost incurred by the Consultant submitting a proposal and will not pay for any travel expenses to participate in interviews or contract negotiations.

Original on pottsvillepa.gov →