The Western New York Land Conservancy is seeking proposals for Concept and Schematic Design consulting services for The Riverline, the new nature trail and greenway being developed along the former rail corridor running from Canalside to the Buffalo River. Concept and Schematic Design is the third phase of the project, following a Community Vision Plan and a Design Ideas Competition.
The Concept and Schematic Design phase (EPF #180842, DL&W Linear Park and Multi-Use Trail Design) will take place over the next year and will be guided by community input. The design of The Riverline will build on the community vision plan, which imagines an inspiring community gathering place alive with the history and voice of the surrounding Old First Ward, Perry and Valley neighborhoods. It will become a vibrant, safe and welcoming space for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to connect with each other, with nature and with the waterfront.
The design will also build on the concepts from the international design ideas competition announced in June 2019. And it will be further developed in collaboration with neighborhood groups, other partners and ongoing community feedback. Once completed, The Riverline will help create a cohesive waterfront and downtown as it contributes to a healthy, inclusive and opportunity-rich city with vibrancy in every neighborhood it touches.
The complete RFP is now posted on the Land Conservancy website: wnylc.org/theriverline and theriverline.com. Interested firms are encouraged to register through th**********@wn***.org to receive updates, amendments and clarifications that may impact responses to the RFP. In addition, a pre-proposal webinar will be held on April 8, 2020. Firms registering at th**********@wn***.org will receive the time and log-in details via email.
Interested firms will submit one electronic copy of their proposal via email in Adobe Acrobat PDF format by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on May 29, 2020. Submissions should be directed to Anthony Armstrong, the Land Conservancy’s Project Manager, via email at th**********@wn***.org. All submission requirements are listed in the RFP. Responses submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
Upon selection, the winning design team will work closely with the Land Conservancy to develop a detailed scope of work for site assessment, design, and community outreach and engagement.
Funding for this project comes in part through an Environmental Protection Fund grant administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Under Article 15A, Executive Law, the State of New York is committed to providing Minority and Women Owned Business equal opportunity to participate in State-funded projects. The following goals have been set for this project: 13% MBE and 17% WBE. The contractor, by bidding on the contract, acknowledges understanding and support of this policy and pledges to fully cooperate with the Western New York Land Conservancy in meeting NYS requirements as set forth in the Bidding and Contract Documents.
Additional funding is provided by KeyBank in partnership with the First Niagara Foundation, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York Blue Fund, and individual community donors. The Land Conservancy continues to seek additional funding for The Riverline.
The Western New York Land Conservancy has been and will continue to be an equal opportunity organization. All qualified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) suppliers, contractors and/or businesses will be afforded equal opportunity without discrimination because of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual preference or Vietnam Era Veterans status.
If you are interested in learning more about this project, please visit the new website for The Riverline: theriverline.com. You can also reach out to the Land Conservancy at (716) 687-1225 or in**@wn***.org.
The Western New York Land Conservancy is a regional, not-for-profit land trust that permanently protects land with significant conservation value in Western New York for current and future generations. The Land Conservancy envisions a future in which open spaces, working lands, wildlife habitat, and scenic beauty are cherished and protected as part of the landscape and character of Western New York. The Land Conservancy is accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission and is one of 1,000+ land trusts nationwide, including 87 in New York State. Land trusts have protected over 56 million acres of land. To learn more about the Land Conservancy, visit wnylc.org.
