Thegatewaynews.com - Firm chosen for master plan work; contract, funding need Council approval

by Miles Jung-Kilbreath

Reporter

Streetsboro -- The blueprint for the city's growth may be written by the firm Bird Houk Collaborative of Gahanna.

The zoning master plan committee unanimously voted Aug. 14 to start contract negotiations with Bird Houk to update the city's zoning master plan.

"[Bird Houk's] coordination is excellent. They have a very impressive staff. Their land use model for the city was very well-specified," said Planning Director Jeff Pritchard.

The committee also voted to designate MSI Design based in Columbus as its backup firm, depending on how negotiations with Bird Houk proceed.

The city's master plan is meant to provide a blueprint for future development and land use planning.

According to Pritchard, Bird Houk would cost around $108,000 plus business expenses to update the master plan while MSI would cost around $97,000 without expenses.

Pritchard said he would like to negotiate an amount "not to be exceeded" into the contract with Bird Houk. If a reasonable amount can't be agreed on, the committee gave Pritchard authority to begin negotiations with MSI to update the master plan.

According to both proposals, the zoning master plan could be finished within eight to 10 months once a contract is finalized.

Committee member Donald Scantland said he appreciated the fact that Bird Houk's proposal was tailored toward Streetsboro while the other proposals were more "canned" and general.

Pritchard said he is concerned with the amount of time the city has to finish negotiations before a 45-day deadline in early September. The deadline was set in an out-of-court settlement with the Streetsboro Eyes and Ears Alliance approved by City Council in March.

Ward 2 Council member and Master Plan Committee President Emerylde Bradley, a member of the Alliance, said the Alliance would allow more time for negotiations as long as the city shows progress.

While Bird Houk was not on a list of 13 firms selected by the Alliance to update the master plan, Alliance member David Gross said at first glance the firm "maybe acceptable" for the group to allow the city to use. He said the Alliance needs to conduct more research and review the proposal completely before deciding whether it approves of it.

"They look like they could be pretty competent," Gross said.

Bradley said she wants the master plan process to include surveys for residents who may not be able to attend public meetings, which could include both mail and Web site-based surveys.

"One of our biggest hurdles will be will be getting people involved," said commission member Anna Yupa in agreement.

Bird Houk and MSI are the two top choices out of seven firms which included Jacobs Engineering in Cincinnati; Willams Creek Consulting in Indianapolis, Ind.,; ACP in Columbus; McKenna & Associates in Hudson; and Dover, Kohl and Partners from Coral Gables, Fla.

The committee agreed to meet to review the contract before sending it to be approved by City Council.