City looks to out-source vision & development plan for Academic Village & 318-acre site on Burnt Store Road
Contract would include 'public engagement' component
Cape Coral City Council is expected to vote Wednesday on a resolution that would award a contract for a vision and development plan for two city-owned properties.
Approval of Resolution 43-26 would award the development of plans for the so-called Academic Village site and a Burnt Store property to Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for $394,000. The contract also would include an option for fiscal impact analysis for $37,000 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $432,000.
Academic Village is 180 acres at Kismet and Del Prado. The Burnt Store property is 318 acres on the western side of Burnt Store Road.
As part of the proposal, the consultant will “lead a structured community engagement process that invites residents and stakeholders to participate in design charettes to share their priorities and ideas,” according to council agenda documents.
The city’s request for proposal solicitation was to find “experienced and qualified firms to establish both a vision and development plan for the two city-owned sites, which have been identified as prime opportunities for commercial and recreational development. The plan will position the two properties for “future development and advance the goal of generating new private investment; expanding the city’s commercial tax base; and establishing signature developments that will generate an identity for the city.”
Resolution 43-26 is part of the city’s consent agenda, meaning there will be no council discussion unless a member of the elected board “pulls” the item for discussion.
Consent agenda items frequently include contract awards for requests for proposals solicited by the city, purchase orders, work authorizations and the like and are approved as a package.
There is no public input before consent agenda votes.
The Council meeting agenda also includes public hearings – speed limits for the setting, altering and posting of speed limits throughout the city in Ordinance 2-26, and police pension in Ordinance 5-26.
Public hearings include citizen input with a limit of three minutes per individual.
The Council meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, in City Council Chambers, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd. The meeting is open to the public.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com