Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) in partnership with AARP in St. Louis is requesting the services of a consulting firm to perform a Design Audit of three MetroLink Stations in the St. Louis region – North Hanley, Forest Park and Delmar– in the context of placemaking around transit to improve security. If your firm would like to be considered for these consulting services, please respond with a letter of interest. Please limit your letter of interest to no more than 4 pages. This letter should include any information which might help us in the selection process, such as the persons or team you would assign to the project, the backgrounds of those individuals, your budget, and other projects your company has recently completed or are now active.
BACKGROUND:
CMT and the AARP in St. Louis are proposing to team up for an Environmental 
Design Audit for three MetroLink Stations in the St. Louis region. Transit, from simple bus stops to light rail stations, can be natural focal points for activity and revitalizing adjacent neighborhoods. There is an opportunity to look at these three MetroLink Stations – one in unincorporated St. Louis County, two in the City of Louis – as potential focal points for the surrounding neighborhoods and stakeholders through environmental design and placemaking.
Currently, area residents, transit commuters, and visitors do not view these stations as destinations. For transit stations like these to play an effective role in improving the livability of a community, they must be an integral part of community life and riders must have confidence in the safety of the system at that site. This process provides the opportunity to engage the community members, riders and stakeholders near the station. This community engagement process will not only educate them on what to look for when evaluating other stops but will give them a sense of ownership of the station.
This environmental audit sponsored by CMT & AARP in St. Louis is an opportunity to determine what areas need improvement to move these stations closer to becoming a valued part of the surrounding neighborhoods.
CMT/AARP in St. Louis role:
CMT and AARP in St. Louis will do the initial stakeholder identification, community engagement and invitation for the event with the advice of the selected consultant. CMT /AARP in St. Louis responsibilities will include scheduling of Walk Audits at each of the stations, social media updates, information to participants, and any necessary follow-up.
Consultant role:
Consultant will be responsible for working with CMT/AARP in St. Louis to schedule event dates, initial site visit for each of the stations, collaboration on stakeholders to be engaged, facilitation of walk audits at each of the three stations and a final report/list of action items focused on safety/security for each station. Final Reports are limited to 10 pages including a list of action items.
Highlighted Potential Partners for each audit:
- Metro
- St. Louis County
- ST. Louis County Planning Department – North Hanley
- St. Louis County Police MetroLink Unit
- City of St. Louis –Forest Park/Delmar
- University of Missouri – St. Louis – North Hanley
- Express Scripts – North Hanley
- Washington University – Forest Park/Delmar
- Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council – Delmar
- Forest Park Forever – Forest Park
- Alderwoman Krewson – Delmar
- Alderman Frank Williamson – Forest Park Station
- County Councilwoman Hazel Erby – N. Hanley
- SEIU Local 1
- Surrounding Neighbors
- Commuters using this station
- Media
- Paraquad
Outcomes for the Environmental Audit:
- Opportunity to envision highest and best use for the space
- Improving safety of the station through environmental design and activation of the space
- Foster a sense of identity for each Station – create a positive image of the station
- Develop sense of ownership for the station area from the surrounding neighbors
- Determine what areas of the station may be barriers for improving the environment
- Safety features including lighting, emergency contact buttons, security onsite
- Possibilities for activating the space i.e. plaza/public space; café; coffee shop; police substation, venue for performances/markets
- Connecting opportunities to stakeholders in the neighborhoods
Please provide a baseline cost in proposal to complete the above referenced items. In addition, please provide costs for architectural renderings/design work if future steps were to be taken at one or all stations.
We request all letters be received by 4 pm, May 6, 2016 at Citizens for Modern Transit, 911 Washington, Ste. 200, St. Louis, MO 63101 or via email to kcella@cmt-stl.org CMT reserves the right to reject any letter of interest/proposal for any reason.