RFP – Economic Development Strategic Plan for the City of Grandview Heights

REQUESTED WORK:
The City of Grandview Heights, Ohio (the “City”) is seeking proposals from firms experienced and knowledgeable in preparing an economic development strategic plan for municipalities.

ISSUED BY:
The City of Grandview Heights
1016 Grandview Avenue
Grandview Heights, Ohio 43212

DATED:
Thursday, 18 August, 2021

DATE DUE:
Proposals will be received by the City until
2 pm E.S.T. on Thursday, September 16, 2021

Introduction to the City of Grandview Heights
Minutes from downtown Columbus but in a class of its own, the City of Grandview Heights (“the City”) combines the energy of urban living with the welcoming, neighborly attitude you’d expect from a city its size. At just over 1.3 square miles and home to 8,000+ residents and growing, Grandview Heights boasts tree-lined, walkable streets, trendy shops and stellar dining, all boosted by the power of its proximity to some of Central Ohio’s most desirable neighborhoods, business centers and entertainment districts.

Closely aligned with the Village of Marble Cliff, City and Village residents enjoy access to a full range of city services, Grandview Heights City Schools, a beloved community library, and parks and recreation
opportunities. A designated Tree City, USA, by the Arbor Day Foundation, Grandview Heights residents benefit from a variety of well-planned passive community parks and natural areas, as well as active indoor and outdoor recreational spaces and programs.

Founded in 1906 and incorporated in 1931, Grandview Heights has maintained its small-town charm while welcoming substantial growth and change, highlighted by the recent development of the vibrant mixed-use neighborhood of Grandview Yard, and even more recently, Grandview Crossing. Meanwhile our historic commercial districts continue to thrive, change and grow, attracting a broad and eclectic mix of businesses across the spectrum, serving a wide range of needs in our community as well as drawing visitors from far and wide. Balancing tradition alongside growth and change, the City welcomes new residents and businesses as we continue to prioritize quality of life and enhanced opportunities for those who call our community home.

Background
The City of Grandview Heights adopted a Master Plan in 2019 to serve as the principal guiding document when addressing long-term goals, growth and development issues: https://bit.ly/3B87x6I

This policy document was designed to outline land use character, transportation and connectivity concerns, broad economic conditions and proposed initiatives, environment and resiliency strategies, and civic spaces and places needs and opportunities. Aimed at setting broad parameters, objectives and implementation strategies to protect, preserve and enhance our community’s physical character and quality of life, this document established the need for further investment in strategic economic development planning. The formal Economic Development Strategic Plan to be developed by the selected consultant will be the first that the City has undertaken. We anticipate that it will reflect and be complementary to One Columbus’ Strategic Plan, while also taking into account the special character, opportunities and goals of the City of Grandview Heights.

Having rebounded from many challenging years as a result of the departure of our largest land owner and employer in 2006, the City currently maintains a AAA bond rating from S&P and Moody’s. As a small full-service city, Grandview Heights has sought to diversity its economic base in pursuit of robust and resilient revenue streams to support high quality City services and capacity to invest in needed infrastructure and City facilities. In light of recent and ongoing changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City seeks to continue to build on past successes, to manage expected tax revenue impacts, and to develop strategies for continued economic success into the future.

Grandview Heights is at the nexus of or immediately adjacent to areas that are vibrant and growing, with envisioned or planned improvements and potential infrastructure changes happening all around us, including those outlined within the MORPC/ULI “Rapid5” greenway/blueway vision initiative, the COTA/City of Columbus LinkUS Northwest Corridor transportation plan, and the continued development of The OSU Wexner Medical Center and City of Columbus Arena District / Sport Entertainment District. Economic development planning should result in strategies that capitalize on these ongoing and future opportunities and synergies to continue our evolution and growth as a community rich in character,
with a high quality of life and a desire to amplify diversity and inclusion within our City.

SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
Questions regarding this RFP shall be directed to:
P’Elizabeth R Koelker, AIA, NCARB
Director of Planning and Community Development
E: pkoelker@grandviewheights.org
P: 614.488.3159

Questions shall be submitted in writing via email, by 1pm, Tuesday, 09/07/2021.
Answers will be provided in writing via email, by 4p, Friday, 09/10/2021, to those firms who have indicated their intent to respond to this RFP to the City. Such indications of intent are due no later than 1pm, Tuesday, 09/07/2021 via email to Director Koelker, with subject line “GVH ED Strategy RFP Notice of Intent to Respond” in the subject line.

Responses to this RFP shall be submitted to the City of Grandview Heights, to the attention of:
P’Elizabeth R Koelker, AIA, NCARB
Director of Planning and Community Development
E: pkoelker@grandviewheights.org

Submissions should be made via email, in a single, combined PDF.

Click Here to read the Full Request for Proposal