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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2a: Agreement with Urban Place Consulting Group Regarding Arcadia Downtown Business Association PP STAFF REPORT Arcadia Redevelopment Agency DATE: March 15, 2011 TO: Chair and Members of the Agency Board FROM: Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager /Development Services Director�K By: Jerry Schwartz, Economic Development Manager L i SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR $18,777 WITH URBAN PLACE CONSULTING GROUP TO PROVIDE CONSULTING SERVICES TO THE ARCADIA DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION Recommendation: Approve BACKGROUND At the February 15 meeting, the Agency Board authorized the expenditure of up to $20,000 in Redevelopment Agency funds to provide outside expertise to assist the Arcadia Downtown Business Association. The outside expertise would be used to help this business group advance in its goal setting while determining the best method to fund its activities in the future. Urban Place Consulting Group offered the best understanding about how to work with the business leaders for the benefit of the Association and the downtown along with the experience to provide advice on funding and methods to accomplish funding goals. DISCUSSION During the January 18, 2011 Study Session, the Agency Board heard from Matt McSweeney, Chair of the Arcadia Downtown Business Association about the progress that had been made since meetings began in mid -2010 and the need to have outside expertise to help the Association move forward. As a result, at its February 15 meeting, the Agency Board authorized the expenditure of up to $20,000 of Redevelopment Agency funds to provide an experienced downtown consultant to assist the organization. Proposals were requested from three firms that have extensive experience as downtown business consultants and BID managers. The three firms, Civitas, NBS Consulting, and Urban Place Consulting Group, were asked to provide consulting services to assist the Association in moving forward and making decisions about future direction, and if the Association chose to become a BID, the time and cost to manage that process. Of the three proposals, Urban Place Consulting Group provided the best overall proposal, and was especially strong in providing the guidance that the Association had requested. Urban Place Consulting Group has extensive experience providing guidance to downtown business organizations in cities of all sizes. This hands -on experience has given the consultant the understanding of how to develop programs, funding, and implementation strategies to establish and operate a highly successful downtown district. The firm understands the issues and needs of retailers, office tenants, and others that are part of the downtown. Steve Gibson, the President of Urban Place Consulting Group has been a leader in downtown consulting since 1989. Urban Place Consulting Group will provide the Arcadia Downtown Business Association with access to top level expertise in downtown development and management. The proposal involves working closely with the downtown leadership on organization, refining goals and planning for their implementation, outreach to others businesses in the downtown, and preparing a report on the next steps. The report will provide a recommendation on the process and potential benefits of forming either a Business Based Business Improvement District (BBID) or a Property Based Business Improvement District (PBID). It is anticipated that this work will take approximately 3 -4 months. Urban Place Consulting Group proposes to complete this work for $18,777. While the consultant will work closely with the Arcadia Downtown Business Association, there will be regular contact with staff as part of monitoring the contract. FISCAL IMPACT The cost for Urban Place Consulting Group will be paid from Redevelopment Agency funds. The Agency approved the expenditure of $20,000 to provide professional expertise for the Arcadia Downtown Business Association at the February 15, 2011 meeting. RECOMMENDATION Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement for $18,777 with Urban Place Consulting Group to provide consulting services to the Arcadia Downtown Business Association. Approved by: P`+^. --- Donald Penman, Executive Director PSA- Urban Place Consulting Group March 15, 2011 Page 2 of 2