Project Proposal
Carstairs
Proposal for Downtown Improvement Plan
By
Response to RFP Azadeh Rasouli 30076728 1
Carstairs
Proposal for Downtown Improvement Plan
April 24, 2020 844 Centre St, Box 370, Carstairs AB T0M 0N0
Jennifer Comrie Director of Planning department Town of Carstairs
RE: Town of Carstairs Downtown Improvement Plan Request for Proposals Dear Jennifer,
Kind regards Azadeh Rasouli
A.Rasouli Pricipal, Lead urban planner Azadeh@urban.ca
2
Carstairs
Proposal for Downtown Improvement Plan
Intro
On behalf of URBAN planning consultants we are delighted to provide the proposal for “Carstairs Downtown Improvement Plan” and address the challenges Carstairs is facing in terms of new developments, transportation and environmental issues. Working towards creating a lively downtown area is an opportunity that will encourage investment in the market and will attract new businesses to the town. Our expert team at URBAN are ready to provide planning services and further consult in the design and implementation phase. URBAN has an extensive record of similar projects completed in different scales of regional, provincial, national and international. We are pleased to share our experience with the Town of Carstairs. Our knowledge and skill derived from our diverse experience provides us with the confidence of accepting planning challenges in different parts of the country. Our firm is well known for its unique approach to each challenge and tailoring the method to the considerations of specific projects. At URBAN we deeply value the stakeholders’ opinions and will bring all the groups to the table and discuss their needs. The proposed plan will be developed with close collaboration between URBAN and our competent partners to ensure social, environmental and economic sustainability. We appreciate your responsiveness in answering our questions regarding the RFP during in the last several weeks. Thank you for your time and consideration and please don’t hesitate to contact us if more information needs to be provided.
Table of Contents Introduction About our company Our team Project understanding and key issues Indigenous planning and jurisdiction Method and phasing Public engagement plan Examples of work Work plan Estimated budget References
3
Carstairs
Proposal for Downtown Improvement Plan
5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 16 17 18
Carstairs Credit: Simon North
4
Carstairs
Proposal for Downtown Improvement Plan
Intoduction
URBAN consultants will be pleased to collaborate with the town of Carstairs in creating the improvement plan and contribute to enhancing the public realm. This proposal aims to introduce our approach and methodology for this project. By engaging the public in each step of the project, URBAN provides spaces that people feel connected to, they forge an immense attachment to the product that they have
5
Carstairs
Proposal for Downtown Improvement Plan
With the museum, the grain elevators, Old North Trail and the prominent First Nations historic sites along river and creek beds, Carstairs has a potential for turning into a tourism destination and the business district should be able to support the future population. Many people are willing to have the experience of living in a small town with a unique character and Carstairs is a place they can find these qualities. There are opportunities in Carstairs that makes it an attractive place. People’s preference for small town living together with the availability of affordable housing are among these opportunities (MDP). Intro
To attract more investment, Carstairs downtown commercial core needs a significant improvement and this change will have an impact on the quality of residents’ lives in the future. Carstairs has an important role for the economic sustainability of the surrounding rural areas. Also, It is located on Edmonton-Calgary growth corridor and therefore the region will benefit from improving the commercial infrastructure at Carstairs. URBAN will work towards encouraging appropriate, supportive and mutually beneficial development along each corridor. “The Downtown Improvement Plan will include public realm improvements for downtown public streets and parks, a land use concept, design guidelines, an implementation plan, and a engagement process in order to help the Town create a strong community identity in the commercial core” (RFP).
been involved with from the very first. By thoroughly analysing the context, URBAN will provide site specific short term and long term solutions to the challenges.
Legal frame work: The main documents that will inform our future decisions for this project are: 1. Alberta Municipal Government Act 2. Intermunicipal Development Plan between Mountain View County and the town of Carstairs. 3. The Town of Carstairs Municipal Development Plan
About Our Company Located in Calgary, Alberta. Urban is a planning consultant company. Since 2010 we have been providing planning services to numerous clients around Canada. Exploring various geographical locations has helped us develop the skill of effective problem solving while analysing the project through different lenses.
There are three guiding principles that we keep referring to in our decisions at URBAN:
www.propelstudio.com
6
Social Sustainability
Environmental Responsibility
In the participation and public engagement process, we value the public opinion and need and we strive for creating meaningful places for the users
Any of our spatial decisions will bring about environmental consequences. By doing extensive study on the impact of the interventions, we try our best to mitigate the undesirable outcomes in the future
Carstairs
Proposal for Downtown Improvement Plan
Economic Feasibility We ensure the profitability of the final product for the client as they are significantly investing on the project and there expect the best.
Who we are?
At Urban, we believe that every project is different and the body of our work represents a diverse range of high quality projects, each of them has been executed with unique methods and approaches. Our competent team of planners in close participation with our designer partners will come together to realize our vision for improvement of Carstairs downtown area.
Our Team WE ARE
Planners!
Azadeh Rasouli BSc., MLA, MPlan, RPP
Urban Planner
Azadeh holds a bachelors in architecture from the University of Tehran and masters in both landscape architecture and urban planning. She is interested in planning and programming the public realm. She studies the ways our built environment shapes the everyday life. She is experienced in collaborating with rural municipalities. In this project, she will be focusing on the integration of land use and transportation systems.
John Robbins Urban Planner
John holds Bachelors in psychology and Masters in Urban Planning from the University of Alberta. He is specialized in public and indigenous engagement and building relationship with different groups. He holds an extensive professional experience in developing regional policies across Calgary metropolitan area. He has also been involved in urban planning projects in The United States.
Paul Toner BSc., MArch, MPlan
7
Carstairs
Proposal for Downtown Improvement Plan
Urban Designer
Paul hold both bachelor and masters degree in Architecture from the university of British Colombia , He is a recent graduate from the University of Calgary in masters of urban planning. He enjoys designing vibrant urban spaces in small towns. He has the experience of working with the parks and open spaces department at the City of Calgary. He has also been involved in the revitalization of downtown Airdrie.
Who we are?
BSc., MPlan, RPP
Issues and opportunities
Project Understanding Carstairs is a small town located in Alberta, Canada with a total population of 4,415 (2016 Census). Located on Edmonton-Calgary corridor, Carstairs is experiencing population growth rate of %17. As it is now, the predominant form of future development in Carstairs will be residential. Approximately 77 percent of the housing stock is single detached dwellings. Other forms of low density housing, such as semi-detached dwellings and manufactured homes, made up another four percent of housing units. The remaining 19 percent of the housing stock was in the form of apartments, fourplexes and row housing (MDP). The vision of MDP for Carstairs is “building a vibrant, affordable and sustainable community, offering an unsurpassed quality of life.” To achieve this goal, we need a strong downtown commercial core that will serve a growing population. According to the RFP “The planning area is bounded to the north by Downie Street, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) tracks to the east, Highway 581 to the south, and 11 Avenue N to the west.” We will also be considering areas beyond the plan boundary. The downtown improvement plan proposed by URBAN will ensure new development enhances the sense of community and is compatible with the heritage, character and physical setting of Carstairs. It will encourage high quality new development that will contribute to Carstairs’ role as a regional centre for commercial, industrial, institutional and residential uses. The plan will also encourage diversification in land uses to attract new industries to downtown.
8
Carstairs
Proposal for Downtown Improvement Plan
Here are some of the issues and opportunities we will face during the project: 1. Carstairs is located on Edmonton-Calgary corridor and this brings economical vibrancy to the town and provides excellent opportunities for future growth and development. 2. people’s preference for small town living attracts families who are seeking affordable life style 3. Economic and employment opportunities in the region or within commuting distance; 4. The availability of recreation and leisure 5. Carstairs’ role as a regional service centre and a commuter community will continue and will attract relative businesses 6. increasing uncertainty and change resulting from fluctuations in the oil and gas sector 7. The amount of commercial development, particularly convenience and service oriented commercial, is expected to increase as the Town’s local market grows (MDP).
Stakeholders Here are some examples of stakeholder groups according to the Downtown improvement plan: Residents Business owners First nation population Town of Carstairs Mountain View County Development professional (planners, designers and builders) Tourist population Community members
Indigenous planning
Indigenous Jurisdiction According to native-land.ca, Carstair is located within the area of
Based on 2016 Canada census data, there are 175 people living in Carstairs with aboriginal identity. The average age of this population is 37 years old and there is a relatively diverse ancestry among them (Cree, Cherokee and Métis). In order to facilitate the process of reconciliation, Canadian Institute of Planners has recently developed a policy document (CIP, 2020). With respect to the current first nation population of Carstairs and the historic sites in the close vicinity of the town, URBAN is committed to all the principle in “Policy On Planning Practice And Reconciliation” while developing policy and design. According to CIP, as planners, we are responsible for:
Language: Sarcee Treaty: 7
Reconciliation
1. Planning based on a respect for the well-being of all people and the natural environment 2. Understanding the jurisdictional and legal context of planning, as it relates to treaties and the rights of Indigenous peoples. 3. Advocating for and work to co-create meaningful planning processes among Indigenous communities and municipalities, regions, provinces, and territories. 4. Recognizing and uphold Indigenous planning approaches, law, and governance systems. 5. Advocating for planning policy and legislation that ensure the rights, knowledge, protocols, and planning methods of Indigenous peoples are respected. 6. Respecting the diversity of Indigenous peoples across Canada and their selfdetermined planning processes and goals.
Territories: Niitsítpiis-stahkoii Tsuu T’ina Michif Piyii (Métis)
Portrait collection of First Nation People of Alberta, 1910, Canadian photographer, Harry Pollard
When it comes to Indigenous planning, Co-creation is our main approach 9
Carstairs
Proposal for Downtown Improvement Plan
Method and Phasing May 2020
Jul 2020
Sep 2020
Oct 2020
Initializing
Conceptual Draft
Revising
Finalizing
8 weeks
5 weeks
11 weeks
Dec 2020
8 weeks
Phase 1: Initializing May 1st to Jun 30th
10
Carstairs
Proposal for Downtown Improvement Plan
Phase 2: Conceptual Draft Jul 1st to Aug 30th
In this phase the public consultation and meetings with the government and stakeholders will continue. Design idea swill be generated informed by public input. A draft of the policies and design guidelines will be provided and Initial concept drawings will be prepared.
Method and Approach
In this phase, we will attend preliminary meetings and will start data collection. Site analysis and context research (social, cultural, economic, environmental) are the most important tasks. Legal frameworks and their requirements will be reviewed together with the land use policies. The stakeholder engagement and communication plan will be developed. After conducting the studies, the key issues and opportunities will be explored. Best practices will be studied and key takeaways will be identified. To better understand and analysis the context, 3d massing and physical modeling will be executed.
Method and Phasing
Phase 3: Revising Sep 1st to Oct 7th
In this phase all the drafts of the policies, designs and guidelines will be revised based on the feedback from the stakeholders and community input. And the implementation schedule will be developed.
Carstairs
Proposal for Downtown Improvement Plan
Oct 8th to Dec 30th
In this phase the guiding drawings will be finalized and all the data including engagement summaries will be documented and the final downtown improvement plan will be completed and submitted. As the final step, the plan will be presented to the groups of stakeholders.
Method and Approach
11
Phase 4: Finalizing
Public Engagement Plan At URBAN, we believe in the public input and it’s potential for significant creativity and problem solving. We will be holding engagement meeting in three main phases. We might decide not to bring all the groups to one table and customize the program for each group. At the final stage, we will let participants clearly see their impact on the project. URBAN is widely active across different social media platforms and this will be the primary play field for all parties to have a say in the decisions. URBAN will be providing content on the website as well to keep the public informed. Our approach to open houses is relatively different from other competitors, we value the time and effort of the participants and we focus on creating a pleasurable engagement experience for them. We will conduct the engagement plan in three phases:
Engage Phase1
Empower Phase2
In the empower phase, we give enough information to the participants to heat up the debates and we will be staying apart from the discussions as much as possible instead of trying to lead the process and get predefined out comes. During this phase, there will be brain storming and idea generation sessions.
Include Phase3
This phase is when we will be including all the feedbacks and input of the previous phases into the final project and discuss it with the public.
12
Carstairs
Proposal for Downtown Improvement Plan
Engagement
In this phase, we focus on bringing as many people as possible to the negotiation table and sustain their interest by offering engaging programs and content for all groups of age, income and role in the community.
Examples of work by Sundance Square Plaza, The Heart of Fort Worth Fort Worth, TX, USA Client: Sundance Square (Source: Michael Vergason Landscape Architects, Ltd.)
Sundance Square Plaza is the one acre “living room” of the city, a place where public life thrives. The site punctuates the half-mile, brick Main Street Corridor, which is anchored at its ends by the Federal Courthouse and the Fort Worth Convention Center. Seamlessly dovetailed into the historic fabric of Fort Worth, this development strengthens the identity of its community by offering a rich program of social interest
A Busy Social Hub in the Heart of Fort Worth Source: Michael Vergason Landscape Architects, Ltd.
13
Carstairs
Proposal for Downtown Improvement Plan
Portfolio
This beloved and well-used plaza in the heart of downtown Fort Worth replaced a pair of surface parking lots with an animated and engaging space that has become the city’s living room. Designed for flexibility and a multitude of uses, this energetic project has become a catalyst for change in the city’s core. A combination of 300 movable chairs, along with fixed benches and seat walls, ensure that the site can adapt to a wide variety of functions such as festivals, concerts, and community celebrations. Its playful fountains and enormous shade-producing operable umbrellas make the space dynamic and a true community destination. Equally welcoming on a peaceful morning or a lively evening, the plaza is a spirited social hub that has emerged as a symbol of urban pride and an emblem of the richness of the city’s diverse cultures.
Examples of work by Hunter’s Point South Waterfront Park Phase II: A New Urban Ecology Long Island City, NY, USA Clients: New York City Economic Development Corporation and New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (Source: SWA/Balsley)
This remarkable, multi-faceted waterfront park in Long Island City, New York, has transformed a contaminated brownfield site into a model of sustainable design that incorporates diverse recreational and cultural uses and which grew from a collaborative process involving many disciplines and significant public input. Through an aspirational and innovative blending of landscape architecture and infrastructure, and by employing a host of sophisticated resiliency strategies, the designers have proven that the highest standards of design excellence and the strongest environmental practices are fully compatible. Hunter’s Point South Waterfront Park Phase II shows that public spaces built by public agencies can at once look good, serve public needs, and be successfully resilient.
A park overview with the first phase oval and pavilion in the background and Gantry Plaza State Park beyond. The south marsh, promontory, terraces, and kayak launch in the foreground. Source: SWA/Balsley
14
Carstairs
Proposal for Downtown Improvement Plan
Portfolio
The design embraces its diverse heritage with a “soft” approach to floodwater defense, leveraging the site’s topography with a sculpture grassland park which boasts a dramatic cantilevered overlook, sunset promontory, island sanctuary, and unique tidal marsh with trails that meander in the shadow of Manhattan.
Examples of work by Brooklyn Bridge Park: A Twenty Year Transformation Brooklyn, NY, USA Client: Brooklyn Bridge Park (Source: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc.)
The plan allows for and encourages different experiences in the different spaces, from being wide open and being fully engaged with the people around you to intimate, forested places.
Night lighting at Pier 2 allows games to go on until 11:00pm. In the evening the pier is a vibrant social space and a beacon of urban life to complement its more peaceful landscape surroundings.
Source: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc.
15
Carstairs
Proposal for Downtown Improvement Plan
Portfolio
After twenty years of planning and construction, this 83-acre transformation of a post-industrial waterfront is almost complete, but the park has been a fixture in city life since the opening of its first segment in 2010. Having planned this ambitious project to be built incrementally, the designers focused the initial phases on the site’s toughest challenges and greatest assets. Adjacent neighbourhoods severed from the park site by city infrastructure were re-engaged with programrich urban nodes at existing connection points, while the first pier transformations were optimized for a range of water’s edge activities, civic events and active program. Faced with challenging site conditions, the high standards for ecological performance set early in construction guided later phases and prompted further innovation. The combination of a locally-focused city edge and a transformative experience of the water cemented Brooklyn Bridge Park as a city park first, but one whose reach continues to grow.
Work plan Project Timeline: May 1st – December 30th , 2020 2020 May Task PHASE 1: Initializing PRELIMINARY MEETINGS DEVELOP ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION PLAN DATA COLLECTION CONTRACT AGREEMENT SITE ANALYSIS REVIEW OF LEGAL FRAMEWORK CONTEXT RESEARCH (SOCIAL, CULTURAL, ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL) STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS (PHASE1) ASSESSMENT OF ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES BEST PRACTICES STUDY LAND USE REVIEW SPECIFYING THE APPROACH AND THE VISION 3D MASSING MODELING PHYSICAL MODELING PHASE 2: Conceptual Draft CONCEPTUAL DRAFTS SITE SURVEY STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS (PHASE2: IDEA GENERATION) GENERATING DESIGN IDEAS DRAFT OF THE PLAN DESIGN GUIDELINES DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION MEASURES (IF NEEDED) PHASE 3: Revising PREPARING THE DRAWINGS PUBLIC FEEDBACK DRAFT OF THE PLAN DESIGN GUIDELINES REVISION WITH COMMUNITY INPUT DEVELOP IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE PHASE 4: Finalizing GUIDING DRAWINGS FINALIZED ENGAGEMENT SUMMARIES FINAL SUBMISSION OF THE PLAN PRESENTATION OF THE PLAN
Aug
Sep
Oct
1-Jul 30-Aug
1-Sep
7-Oct
8-Oct
30-Dec
1. An engagement and communication plan that outlines the proposed public participation process for the project and highlights how the candidate will support the Town with project communications. 2. A compiled Downtown Improvement Plan that includes: (a) analysis of issues and opportunities within the planning boundary area; (b) a completed public realm concept plan that includes a breakdown of actions to achieve the concept plan, an implementation schedule, and an evaluative matrix; (c) a completed land use review of the downtown commercial core that includes
Carstairs
Jul
Nov
Dec
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 From To 1-May 30-Jun
Major Deliverables according to the RFP:
16
Jun
Proposal for Downtown Improvement Plan
recommendations to Council; (d) a completed set of design guidelines for frontages, infrastructure, and utility placement in the downtown commercial core; 3. Scheduled project check-ins with Town administration; and, as required, prepared presentations to downtown businesses, community members, and Town Council. 4. Deliver detailed drawings that allow the Town to post tenders for construction work in the commercial core that align with the recommended actions laid out in the Downtown Improvement Plan. 5. Digital and hard copy records of project materials, including: all engagement summaries, project collateral, drawings, and any other additional documents.
Estimated Budget Task PHASE 1: Initializing PRELIMINARY MEETINGS DEVELOP ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION PLAN DATA COLLECTION CONTRACT AGREEMENT SITE ANALYSIS REVIEW OF LEGAL FRAMEWORK CONTEXT RESEARCH (SOCIAL, CULTURAL, ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL) STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS (PHASE1) ASSESSMENT OF ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES BEST PRACTICES STUDY LAND USE REVIEW SPECIFYING THE APPROACH AND THE VISION 3D MASSING MODELING PHYSICAL MODELING PHASE 2: Conceptual Draft CONCEPTUAL DRAFTS SITE SURVEY STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS (PHASE2: IDEA GENERATION) GENERATING DESIGN IDEAS DRAFT OF THE PLAN DESIGN GUIDELINES DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION MEASURES (IF NEEDED) PHASE 3: Revising PREPARING THE DRAWINGS PUBLIC FEEDBACK DRAFT OF THE PLAN DESIGN GUIDELINES REVISION WITH COMMUNITY INPUT DEVELOP IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE PHASE 4: Finalizing GUIDING DRAWINGS FINALIZED ENGAGEMENT SUMMARIES FINAL SUBMISSION OF THE PLAN PRESENTATION OF THE PLAN
17
Carstairs
Azadeh Rasouli John Robbins Paul Toner Hours Rate: $100 Hours Rate: $90 Hours Rate: $80 39 $3,900 73 &6570 55 $4,400 5 $500 2 $180 3 $240 3 $300 6 &540 4 $320 2 $200 8 $720 5 $400 5 $500 4 $360 2 $160 3 $300 2 $180 4 $320 1 $100 3 $270 6 $480 7 $700 7 $630 7 $560 3 $300 3 $270 2 $160 4 $400 2 $180 4 $320 1 $100 6 $540 7 $560 2 $200 5 $450 3 $240 3 $300 5 $450 2 $160 0 0 10 $900 8 $640 0 0 10 &900 0 0 30 $3,000 34 $3,060 25 $2,000 4 $400 6 $540 3 $240 0 0 5 $450 4 $320 4 $400 3 $270 4 $320 8 $800 4 $360 6 $480 7 $700 2 $180 4 $320 5 $500 9 $810 1 $80 2 $200 8 $720 3 $240 17 $1,700 22 $1,980 28 $2,240 2 $200 3 $270 6 $480 2 $200 3 $270 5 $400 7 $700 7 $630 8 $640 6 $600 9 $810 9 $720 20 $2,000 61 $5,490 48 $3,840 3 $300 20 $1,800 10 $800 5 $500 7 $630 5 $400 9 $900 30 $2,700 30 $2,400 3 $300 4 $360 3 $240 106 $10,600 190 $17,100 156 $12,480
Proposal for Downtown Improvement Plan
sub totl GST Disbursements totl
$40,180 $2,000 $2,812 $44,992
References - Province of Alberta, Alberta Municipal Government Act, 2000 - Town of Carstairs, Community Sustainability Plan, 2009 - Town of Carstairs, Municipal Development Plan, 2010 - Mountain View County, Intermunicipal Development Plan between Mountain View County and the town of Carstairs, 2007 - Canadian institute of planners, Cip-Icu Policy On Planning Practice And Reconciliation, 2020 - https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/wmkyhz_carstairs_cemetery_carstairs_ alberta, accessed April 15, 2020 - https://kenilynnbouvier.ca/listing/714-ranch-cr-carstairs-alberta-t0m0n0-20720130/, accessed April 15, 2020 - https://www.asla.org/individualaward.aspx?id=4244, accessed April 15, 2020 http://www.stimsonstudio.com/, accessed April 25, 2020 - https://www.vergason.net/kent36goun6ptwrwif0xjk5nrvfpiy, accessed April 15, 2020 - https://swabalsley.com/, accessed April 26, 2020 - https://www.mvvainc.com/, accessed April 15, 2020 - https://native-land.ca/, accessed April 15, 2020 - https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/ , accessed April 22, 2020
18
Carstairs
Proposal for Downtown Improvement Plan
Thank you
19
Carstairs
Proposal for Downtown Improvement Plan
