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TO: Mayor Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Trevor Dick, FAICP LEED AP, Assistant Director
Jason Bauer, Assistant Director of Public Works / Assistant City Engineer
DATE: December 11, 2023
SUBJECT:
A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to execute a professional services agreement with Walker Consultants in the amount of $93,470 for a Downtown Parking Study.
PURPOSE:
Today, Downtown Aurora has a stable parking system that is in need of both a goal oriented and technological upgrade to help accomplish our goals. Our goals are to make the Downtown a great place both to visit and to live in by making vehicular traffic/parking a convenience and asset, not a burden and impediment to improved pedestrian experience in our downtown.
BACKGROUND:
The timing is excellent for a new Downtown Parking Study. One of the largest parking demand generators in the Downtown, the Hollywood Casino, will be relocating outside of the Downtown with an expected move date in 2025/26. IDOT is also reviewing a renovation of US Route 25 (Broadway Avenue) through the Downtown that will likely result in fewer on-street parking spaces. Two new residential projects (totaling nearly 500 new rental units) are also about to begin construction just north of Downtown on the east and west banks of the Fox River. These upcoming changes, when coupled with the other changes that have occurred in the downtown since the last parking study in 2012, point towards the need for a new comprehensive study of the parking throughout the downtown.
DISCUSSION:
Staff utilized the Qualification Based Selection (QBS) process earlier this year. Six consultants responded and Walker was selected as the firm most qualified to provide these services. The summary of the QBS results are attached. The key contract tasks include: existing conditions assessment, future parking needs analysis, public engagement plan, parking policy improvements, electric vehicle best practices, comparable review and preliminary recommendations.
The following accounts will be used to fund the professional services agreement: 520-1830-465-.32-59 - $35,000, 101-1830-465.32-99 - $39,000, 235-1830.465.32-59 - $20,000.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The results of the study will positively impact the City by providing recommendations and strategies to ensure a well-balanced parking system over the next ten years throughout Downtown.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
I recommend the approval of the Professional Services Agreement with Walker Consultants in the amount of $93,470 for a Downtown Parking Study.
cc: Infrastructure & Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution authorizing the Director of Purchasing to execute a professional services agreement with Walker Consultants in the amount of $93,470 for a Downtown Parking Study.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City’s most recent Downtown Parking Management Report and Recommendations was adopted by City Council in 2012; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora is seeking a new Downtown Parking Study; and
WHEREAS, the City conducted a Qualification Based Selection process and of the six submittals received Walker Consultants was ranked as the firm most qualified to provide these services; and
WHEREAS, the following accounts will be used to fund the professional services agreement: 520-1830-465-.32-59 - $35,000, 101-1830-465.32-99 - $39,000, 235-1830.465.32-59 - $20,000; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the Director of Purchasing is hereby authorized to execute a professional service agreement with Walker Consultants in the amount of $93,470 for a Downtown Parking Study.