R2001-57 AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL COMMUNICATION FORM Economic & Urban Development Department Memorandum # 01-31 Date: March 26, 2001 TO: Honorable or Terry M. Howley and City Council Members FROM: Steve Ga ity Manager A.J. Krieg sistant City Manager� SUBJECT: LDR Urban D sign Services Proposal SUMMARY RECOMMENDATION: Attached to this memorandum is a resolution which, if approved, will authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with LDR International to perform urban design work in downtown Decatur. The contract amount is not to exceed $29,300. BACKGROUND: As Council may recall, this past February Hank Alinger of LDR made a presentation regarding aesthetic and other improvements to Cerrtral Park and other important areas of downtown. The attached proposal includes urban design work within Central Park and the Civic Center site, including the landscaped plaza along the east side of Franklin Street. LDR's design work in Central Park is proposed to include parameters for a new fountain, bandshell, sidewalks, and landscape and other improvements to include the area adjacent to the Transfer House. The Civic Center design work will include possible access and circulation changes to the site, as well as general aesthetic and landscape improvements. As Council is aware, the City has recently considered plans to construct a new fountain and other improvements in Central Park, as well as general aesthetic enhancements throughout the downtown area. The purpose of the LDR work is to provide a basis for area-wide downtown planning and to develop specific improvement plans that can be incorporated into future redevelopment projects. Much of the delay to the Central Park improvements, including the proposed new fountain, can be attributed to the lack of a unified plan to address not only the entire park, but also the way in which the park and its users interact with the rest of the downtown area. The product of LDR's work is the fist step toward drafting a coordinated aesthetic improvement plan for the entire downtown. POTENTIAL OBJECTION: City staff is not aware of any organized opposition. INPUT FROM OTHER SOURCES: Attached'�are the resolution and proposal from LDR. STAFF&EFERENCE: If Cou�cil members have questions they may contact A.J. Krieger, 424-2727; ajkrie�('�decaturnet.org . BUDGE�/TIME IMPLICATIONS: Money for this activity is included in both FY 00-01, and FY 01-02 Planning and Economic Develop�ent Division budgets. It is expected that LDR's work will be completed in two to three months. ''