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Resolution 2011-209
Resolution to Identify the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board as a Partner with the
Downtown Improvement District and to provide $25,000 toward hiring a Consultant
to Conduct a Study to Determine the Feasibility and Approach for Creating a
Downtown Minneapolis Public Realm Conservancy
Whereas, In order to make downtown Minneapolis a more attractive and welcoming
environment for its growing residential population and workforce, business and community
leaders are defining various initiatives to greatly enhance downtown’s “green infrastructure”;
Whereas, Current and long-term fiscal constraints hinder public sector stakeholders from
developing new parks and public amenities or enhancing existing assets single-handedly;
Whereas, It is believed that downtown Minneapolis would benefit from one or more non-profit
conservancies and/or private/public partnerships to aggregate public, private and non-profit
funding and coordinate leadership towards the design, development, maintenance and
programming of new and existing parks and public realm amenities;
Whereas, The Downtown Improvement District, acting as a fiscal agent and coordinator, plans
to hire a consultant to conduct a study to determine the feasibility and approach for creating a
Downtown Minneapolis Public Realm Conservancy; and
Whereas, Funding is being sought from the potential future partners of the conservancy,
including public, private and non-profit organizations to conduct this feasibility study:
RESOLVED, That the Commissioners of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board serve as a
partner with the Downtown Improvement District and provide $25,000 toward hiring a consultant
to conduct a study to determine the feasibility and approach for creating a Downtown
Minneapolis Public Realm Conservancy; and
RESOLVED, That the President of the Board and Secretary to the Board are authorized to take
all necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.
Adopted by the Park & Recreation Board
In formal meeting assembled on November 22, 2011
______________________________
John Erwin, President
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______________________________
Karen Robinson, Secretary
Approved:
_________________________________
R.T. Rybak, Mayor
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3. Posted by http://MillCityTimes.com
TO: Administration and Finance Committee
FROM: Jayne Miller, Superintendent
DATE: November 9, 2011
SUBJECT: Resolution to Identify the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board as a Partner
with the Downtown Improvement District and to provide $25,000 toward hiring a
Consultant to Conduct a Study to Determine the Feasibility and Approach for
Creating a Downtown Minneapolis Public Realm Conservancy
.
BACKGROUND
In order to make downtown Minneapolis a more attractive and welcoming environment for its
growing residential population and workforce, business and community leaders are defining
various initiatives to greatly enhance downtown’s “green infrastructure” (e.g. street trees, storm
water retention & parks) and public realm (e.g. streetscapes, public gathering places). Current
and long-term fiscal constraints hinder public sector stakeholders from developing new parks
and public amenities or enhancing existing assets single-handedly. It is believed that downtown
Minneapolis would benefit from a non-profit conservancy to aggregate public, private and non-
profit funding and coordinate leadership towards the design, development, maintenance and
programming of new and existing parks and public realm amenities.
The Downtown Improvement District, acting as a fiscal agent and coordinator, plans to hire a
consultant to conduct a study to determine the feasibility and approach for creating a Downtown
Minneapolis Public Realm Conservancy. Approximately $100,000 is required to conduct the
feasibility study, and funding is being sought from the potential future partners of the
conservancy, including public, private and non-profit organizations.
The Superintendent and Park Board President are asking that the Minneapolis Park and
Recreation Board serve as a partner with the DID in this effort and contribute $25,000 toward
hiring a consultant to conduct a study to determine the feasibility and approach for creating a
Downtown Minneapolis Public Realm Conservancy. Funds are available in the 2011 general
fund to cover this expense.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Board identify the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board as a
partner with the Downtown Improvement District and provide $25,000 toward hiring a consultant
to conduct a study to determine the feasibility and approach for creating a Downtown
Minneapolis Public Realm Conservancy.
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Attachment: RFP – Downtown Minneapolis Public Realm Conservancy Feasibility Study
Prepared by: Jayne Miller, Superintendent
Reviewed and Approved by: John Erwin, President
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REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Downtown Minneapolis Public Realm Conservancy Feasibility Study
Introduction and Context
Downtown 2025, an initiative of the Minneapolis Downtown Council, has
brought together Minneapolis business community leaders, local residents,
non-profit leaders and members of the public sector to envision a brighter
future for downtown Minneapolis in the coming years, and will shortly release
its strategic vision for the city. This group recognizes that in order to create a
world class downtown public realm, significant funds must be invested in key
public realm initiatives, to include parks, plazas and general public realm
improvements. Long-term fiscal constraints prevent traditional public sector
stakeholders from properly maintaining existing assets or developing new
parks and public amenities single-handedly.
It is believed that downtown Minneapolis would benefit from a non-profit
conservancy to aggregate public, private and non-profit funding and coordinate
leadership towards the design, development, maintenance and programming of
existing and new parks and public realm amenities. Coordination and
alignment between the many current and planned parks and public realm
initiatives would be a core function.
To that end, the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District (DID), acting as
the fiscal agent and project coordinator for the Greening and Public Realm
Sub-committee of the Downtown 2025 Initiative, is soliciting proposals to
exploring the feasibility of a Downtown Minneapolis Public Realm Conservancy.
Objective of the Conservancy
Foster, develop, implement and/or manage several types of public realm
projects in downtown Minneapolis by
 Providing strategic, planning and design, project management,
maintenance, operation and coordination expertise and services
 Raising capital for design, implementation, operations, programming and
maintenance (from public, private, non-profit sources)
 Providing ongoing operations, programming and maintenance services
Key Components of the Conservancy
 Flexible model that supports different stakeholders and functions
depending on the initiative
 Robust fundraising capability
 Ability to coordinate and align business community, non-profit
organizations and residents with public sector stakeholders, (City,
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County, Park Board, Met Council, Metro Transit, State, National Park
Service, etc.)
 Strong project management and operations capabilities
 Ability to grow over time and operate “at scale”
 Minimize redundancy and overlap with other organizations
Objective of Feasibility Study
The feasibility study shall identify all elements necessary for launch of a
successful conservancy in Minneapolis. This study shall:
 Confirm high level business case for enhancing Downtown’s public realm
 Survey stakeholders on public realm enhancement
 Confirm capabilities required to achieve public realm enhancement
 Confirm that existing organizations (City, Park Board, Parks Foundation,
etc.) do not and will not adequately support the capabilities
 Determine if there is an existing organization well positioned to
undertake the required functions
 Develop an implementation approach and plan for establishing the
Downtown Minneapolis Public Realm Conservancy
 Develop a list of key issues to be considered by the DID Board of
Directors, public sector, philanthropic community and the general public
 Identify preliminary budget for the Conservancy, to include
implementation, operation and maintenance funds for existing sites and
those presented in the Downtown 2025 Plan, using local and national
precedents.
Sample Feasibility Study Activities
Study activities will include, but not be limited to, those below. Suggestions for
other reports and activities that may be helpful in achieving the objectives
above would be appreciated. Please indicate whether the proposed activities
would be included in the proposed fee, or additional services.
 Review the responsibilities and budgets of all organizations currently
working to achieve aspects of the proposed new organization’s mission in
downtown, identifying organizational overlaps and understanding
current and historic spending on all mission-related investments.
 Develop preliminary capital and operations and maintenance budgets for
proposed downtown Minneapolis public realm improvements through
local and national precedent analyses.
 Review alternative organizational model precedents in terms of
advantages and disadvantages as related to achieving the intended
mission for downtown Minneapolis, including alternatives for securing
the required funding sources.
 Structure an organization best positioned to fulfill the stated mission for
Minneapolis, including outlining its legal structure, organizational
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relationships and required agreements, and developing a strategic
business plan framework.
Key Deliverables of Feasibility Study
 Business Case and Stakeholder Survey Results
 Downtown 2025 Proposed Project Capital, Operations and Maintenance
Budgets
 Summary of Current Minneapolis Park/Greening/Public Realm
Organization Environment
 Conservancy Organization Model
 Implementation Approach and Plan
Feasibility Study Timeline
 RFP issued: October 3
 Proposals Due: October 14
 Review/Follow-up and Award: October 28
 Contract Completed and Project Launch: November 7
 Project Execution: November thru February, 2012
 Present Findings: March 2012
Submittal Information
Proposals must be received on or before 12 pm on Friday October 14th,
2011. Please email your proposal in pdf format to
bshogren@minneapolisdid.com
Contract and Client
The contract shall be between the selected Vendor and the DID. Attached is
the contract form. Please review and ensure terms are acceptable. DID’s
ability to modify the contract is limited; if your review reveals issues that
require negotiation, please address with DID prior to submitting a proposal.
Proposal Requirements
Submittal must include:
 Company/business information
o Name, address, telephone and fax numbers, email addresses.
o Name of parent company, if any.
o Number of years in business.
o Company’s Federal ID number.
o Names and contact information for project team. Include resumes
and responsibilities for each individual and percentage of time
each would devote to the work.
 Experience and References
o Firm Introduction
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o Describe all relevant experience with at least three references,
including contact names and telephone numbers.
o Provide three specific completed projects that reflect similar goals
objectives and outcomes as those included within this project
scope.
o Indicate all projects done in Minneapolis, including brief scope and
key stakeholders involved in each.
 Contract and Schedule
o Acceptance of contract terms and project timeline
 Cost
Selection Criteria
A selection committee will evaluate each submission pursuant to this Request
for Proposal, and will select the vendor which, in its sole judgment,
successfully demonstrates the qualities and skills necessary to undertake the
project and meet the goals of the committee. Decisions will be made on the
following criteria:
 Background knowledge and understanding of similar projects,
demonstrated ability and experience.
 Cost.
 Responsiveness to this RFP.
 Ability of the vendor to complete the project in the timeframe outlined.
 Other criteria as determined, at the sole discretion of the Selection
Committee.
Termination/Rejection
DID reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion to: a) reject any and
all proposals submitted without negotiation or comment; b) accept any
proposal as submitted without negotiation or comment; c) require revisions to,
corrections of, or other changes to any proposal submitted as conditions
precedent to further consideration; d) select one or more proposals for
negotiations; e) seek new proposals from new or existing vendors; and/or f)
withdraw this Request for Proposal without notice.
About the DID
Launched in 2009, the DID is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization with the
mission of making Downtown Minneapolis a thriving and competitive business
environment for recruiting and retaining businesses, employees, residents and
visitors. DID does so by delivering clean, safe, green and better services that
raise the overall standard of care and behavior in downtown’s public spaces,
partnering with the public and private sector on safety and livability initiatives
and advocating for the business community. The DID has a wholly-controlled
501(c)3 subsidiary, Minneapolis SafeZone Collaborative, that raises funds and
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implements programs to make downtown safer and more attractive. More
information can be found at www.minneapolisdid.com
Questions
For questions please contact Beth Shogren
(612.961.7663, bshogren@minneapolisdid.com)
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