HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD 29-08
Citlf 01
REPORT TO
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE
Report Number: PO 29-08
Date: July 7, 20081 i '1
From:
Neil Carroll
Director, Planning & Development
Subject:
Downtown Pickering Program
Continuation of Urban Design Consulting Services
Recommendation:
1. That Report PO 29-08 of the Director, Planning & Development respecting urban
design consulting services for the Downtown Pickering program be received;
2. That the Director, Planning & Development be authorized to continue with the
engagement of Young + Wright IIBI Group Architects to act as the City's urban
design consultant on the Downtown Pickering program to an upset limit of
$70,000 using professional and consultative services funds approved by Council
in the 2008 Department budget; and
3. That the appropriate City officials be authorized to take the necessary action to
give effect hereto.
Executive Summary: In August 2007, through our normal Request for Proposals
process, the City hired Young + Wright Architects (Y+W) as the City's urban design
consultants for the Downtown Pickering program. The 2007 budget allocation for this
assignment had an upset limit of $40,000, a portion of which was carried over to 2008.
This allowed Y+W to provide consulting assistance to the end of June 2008.
Downtown Pickering is one of only two Urban Growth Centres in Durham Region. This
designation, along with the heightened level of development interest in our downtown
makes it critically important that the City maintain qualified urban design consulting
assistance with respect to our Downtown Program. Staff have been extremely pleased
with the work completed to date by Y+W (now Young + Wright IIBI Group Architects)
and recommend that Council approve the continued use of this firm for the remainder of
2008 to an upset limit of $70,000, in accordance with the 2008 approved budget.
Financial Implications: The approved 2008 budget includes an allocation of $70,000
for urban design work, vision workshops and community consultation in relation to the
Downtown Pickering project (account 2611-2392).
Report PO 29-08
July 7, 2008
Subject: Young + Wright / 181 Group - Downtown Pickering Program
.11 2
I !.
Page 2
Sustainability Implications: Not applicable
Background: In August 2007, the City engaged the consulting services of Y+W
through the City's Request for Proposal's process to undertake urban design work in
relation to our Downtown Pickering program. The 2007 upset limit for this work was
$40,000. Some of this money was carried over into 2008, which allowed the consulting
assignment to continue to the end of June 2008.
Since we engaged them, Y+W has completed a number of projects for the City
including preliminary design concepts for the Ministry of Transportation property at
Highway 401 and Liverpool Road, the Civic Precinct, and other downtown sites. They
have also attended various meetings, presentations and events, including Sustainable
Pickering Day, and have completed significant background research and photographic
inventories.
Development interest in the Downtown Pickering program is increasing significantly,
particularly in relation to lands south of Highway 401 and with respect to development
of the Pickering Town Centre Office Tower, pedestrian bridge and GO Station link.
Given this heightened development interest, and the fact that Downtown Pickering is
designated an Urban Growth Centre, it is vitally important that the City maintains a high-
level of urban design expertise to assist our downtown program through the remainder
of 2008. Work to be undertaken over the remainder of the year includes:
· Developing design concepts, sketches and vision plans for the Downtown
South and our emerging "Mobility Hub";
· Reconstructing a visionary 3D model of the Downtown (developed through
recent public consultation);
· Conducting research and providing design advice for contemplated "landmark"
downtown facilities (i.e. pedestrian bridge and a performing arts centre); and
· Providing urban design advice to the City respecting a number of downtown
projects and proposals.
As funds provided by the initial 2007 purchase order are now essentially exhausted, it is
necessary to establish a new purchase order with Y+W. To continue this work the
City's purchasing policy requires that three formal written quotations be solicited for
consulting services of this magnitude. However, staff are extremely pleased with the
work of Y+W and wish to secure their services for this continuing project. The firm is
highly qualified and extremely well respected in the building and development industry.
The firm is also very well-aligned with the City's sustainable development goals and
objectives and has an excellent understanding of our downtown area. It is
recommended that Council authorize the continued use of Y+W for the remainder of
2008, up to the approved 2008 budget allotment of $70,000. In 2008 Y+W merged with
the 181 Group. The firm is now known as Young + Wright / 181 Group Architects.
The Downtown Program is a joint program of the Planning & Development Department
and the City's Office of Sustainability.
Report PD 29-08
July 7, 2008
Subject: Young + Wright / 181 Group - Downtown Pickering Program
Page 3
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Prepared By:
Approved/Endorsed By:
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Neil Carr --
Director, Planning & Development
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/j /'7/l,
Thomas E. Melymu
Director, Office of Sust
RT:TM
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City Council
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