Request for Proposals – Downtown Activation and Beautification 2024
This opportunity to apply is OPEN! Proposals are due June 7, 2024, before noon.
As part of continuing efforts to improve downtown, the City of Bellingham has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to fund projects that add aesthetic appeal and create a more enjoyable experience for pedestrians downtown. These include artwork, interactive exhibits, events, and other features on sidewalks, plazas, parks and other highly-visible spaces. $350,000 is available in 2024 for these projects, funded substantially through lodging tax revenue. Another RFP will be released in October to solicit projects for 2025.
Downtown Placemaking Area
Downtowns define cities. They are the heart of community connection, tourism, culture and economic activity. Impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, rapidly increasing housing prices, and opioid addiction have strained the community, resulting in an increased need for social services and economic support, particularly in downtown. In addition to a suite of actions to address community safety and well-being, the City has invested significant resources to promote a beautiful and lively downtown, including this request for proposals.
Funding is restricted to projects or programs on public streets, sidewalks, plazas, parks and properties or activities or events within private buildings or properties within the downtown district shown in the map below. Projects outside of this boundary may be considered if they have a strong connection or influence on downtown activation. See Figure 3-1 for the location of public opportunity sites.
NOTE: Funding may not be used for permanent improvements to private property.
Figure 3-1: Opportunity Sites on Public Property
NOTE: Other streets, sidewalks, parks and public properties are also eligible for consideration.
Goals and Objectives
- Enhance aesthetic appeal, district identity and “Instagram-worthy” opportunities.
- Create a more enjoyable experience for pedestrians (“surprise and delight”) to encourage exploration, longer stays and increased foot traffic.
- Activate public streets, sidewalks, plazas, and parks to promote use of underutilized spaces, foster community connections and a sense of belonging, and showcase local talent and cultural diversity.
- Attract visitors and create new and memorable experiences to enhance the City’s brand as a tourism destination and boost revenue and economic growth.
- Encourage connections between downtown and surrounding areas (waterfront, Old Town and residential neighborhoods).
- Foster engagement of downtown stakeholders and community members to improve the experience of joy, sense of safety, and pride and interest in the downtown neighborhood.
Desired Proposals
- Add beauty and aesthetic appeal to the pedestrian experience: street art, murals, landscaping, lighting, signage, public art, or other interactive opportunities.
- Activate public and vacant spaces: block parties, busking, classes, performances, games, festivals or markets featuring local food/drink, music, interactive/performance/visual art or cultural events, particularly those that engage or highlight underrepresented groups or appeal to diverse audiences.
- Attract and retain visitors: build-on or complement other tourism-related events and/or local tourism assets.
- Make connections: pathways, artwork, signs, wayfinding, interactive challenges or activities to draw people from surrounding neighborhoods into downtown.
- Foster community engagement: entice businesses, cultural institutions and/or organizations to create new offerings in the public realm, invite community co-creation of artwork or experiences, interactive activities or creative input.
- $250,000 in lodging tax funds for projects and programs with regional tourism impact
- $100,000 in general funds for activation and beautification projects
Proposals may request any amount of funding within these limits. Funding may be used for project development and design, materials, fabrication, marketing/promotion, installation, service or artist fees and/or insurance. Final funding decisions will be based on rankings and recommendations of the review teams.
Successful proponents will enter into a Services Agreement or other similar contract with the City of Bellingham.
Funding will be provided on a reimbursement basis for work performed or costs incurred. The project Proponent is responsible for fronting all costs associated with the work.
Applicants may request multi-year funding, which will be considered depending on the nature of the proposal. In addition, a separate RFP for projects or programs occurring in 2025 will be issued October 2024.
To be considered for funding, the proponent must meet the following criteria:
- Experience designing and implementing projects and/or programs;
- Ability to provide or secure the expertise, supplies, materials, equipment, staffing and all other aspects necessary to carry out the project or program;
- Ability to provide proof of insurance and endorsement listing the City as additional insured, showing the insurance as primary and non-contributory and waiving subrogation for the duration of the project. Coverage shall include but is not limited to:
- Workers Compensation Statutory Amount
- Automobile Liability $1,000,000
- Broad Form Comprehensive Liability $1,000,000/occurrence $2,000,000 aggregate
Submission Timeline
Proposals must be submitted electronically via PDF to Taylor Webb, Development Specialist: tkwebb@cob.org before noon on June 7, 2024.
A second RFP will be issued in October 2024 for projects occurring in late 2024 or 2025.
Presubmittal Resources
Questions regarding this RFP should be directed to:
Darby Galligan, Senior Planner
Planning and Community Development Department
dgalligan@cob.org / (360) 778-8389
Permit Requirements
Projects and programming in the public right-of-way may require a Special Event permit or Temporary Right of Way Use permit. Visit the City of Bellingham website for additional information:
- Special Event Permit – City of Bellingham (cob.org)
- Commercial Right-of-Way (ROW) Use Permits Guide (cob.org)
Information Sessions for Project Proponents
The City will host two question and answer sessions for proponents who would like assistance with proposal feasibility prior to the submittal deadline. Both sessions will be held in the Permit Center on the main floor of City Hall.
- Session 1: May 16, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Session 2: May 20, 2024 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
These sessions are optional, but attendance is highly encouraged for proposals on City properties or within the public right-of-way. Consultation will be provided in 15-minute increments on a first-come first-served basis.
Evaluation Criteria
| Evaluation Criteria | Weight |
| How well does the project achieve the goals and objectives of the RFP? | 20 |
| What is the aesthetic and/or artistic quality and appropriateness of the project to the location (including support from surrounding stakeholders)? | 20 |
| Does the project team have demonstrated experience & expertise with implementing projects? | 20 |
| What will be the positive impact(s) on downtown, including visibility, duration, anticipated number of participants and intended audience? | 20 |
| Is the project feasible, including likelihood of approval, realistic fees /costs, completeness of budget and timeline? | 20 |
| Total | 100 points |
Evaluation Process
- Proposals will be vetted by an internal team of departmental experts to identify possible regulatory or procedural issues that may affect the feasibility of project implementation.
- A review committee composed of Bellingham/Whatcom County Tourism, Bellingham Tourism Commission, Downtown Stakeholder(s), City Planning and Community Development and Mayor’s Office staff will independently score each proposal and review scores collaboratively to develop funding recommendations to the Mayor. Oral interviews, additional questions or information may be requested at this stage.
- The Mayor will assess the review committee recommendations and make any changes or adjustments for the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) to review.
- The LTAC will review and make a decision on the Mayor’s recommendations, which will be presented to the City Council for final approval.
Submission Timeline
Proposals must be submitted electronically via PDF to Taylor Webb, Development Specialist: tkwebb@cob.org before noon on June 7, 2024.
Submittal Requirements
View the RFP pdf to access the required Proposal Cover sheet and additional resources. Proposals may not exceed 10 single-sided pages (excluding the cover sheet and budget).
To receive full consideration, proposals must include each of the following elements:
- Proposal Cover Sheet.
- Project or Program Description.
- Location (include address, maps or photos if necessary).
- Detailed project description.
- Proponent team. List the names of the people responsible for implementing the project or program, with a summary of their qualifications and experience and their primary duties/role.
- List of steps to implement the project or program, with timelines and responsible person.
- Inspirational or example images that illustrate the final project or program (optional)
- Letters of support (optional)
- Project Evaluation. Explain which goals and objectives from Section II will be achieved by the project or program. How will the proposal bring visitors downtown, lead them to linger downtown, or build local tourism resources? How will it activate and/or beautify downtown?
- Detailed Budget. Provide a list of all revenues and expenses required to implement the project. Include estimated costs and anticipated vendor(s). Indicate which items are proposed to be paid with grant funds. List the total program cost and the total amount of grant funding being requested. You can find a Sample Budget Form here.
Request for Qualifications – Public Works Operations
This opportunity to apply is CLOSED! SELECTION PROCESS IS IN PROGRESS
List of Semi-Finalists:
- Tristan Al-Haddad
- Clayton Binkley
- Ivan Toth Depena
- Barbara Domsky
- Experience Research Lab (ERL)
- Anaisa Franco
- Corey Fuller / WHITELIGHT
- James Peterson
- Aaron Stephan
- April Wagner
Finalists will be announced in early May 2024.
Request for Proposals – Artwork for Traffic Boxes
This opportunity is CLOSED! The final selections will be announced in the spring of 2024.
$500.00 is available for each selected and installed artwork – Submissions due by October 13, 2023 at Noon.
Call for Artwork – Sculpture Procurement for Neighborhood Park
This opportunity is CLOSED! The final selection will be announced before the end of 2023.
Up to $15,000.00 available – Submissions due by September 8, 2023 at Noon.
Past Opportunities
Cordata Roundabout – The selected artwork will be installed on the roundabout that sits at Horton Road and Cordata Parkway, which is the gateway to existing and future housing and is near the 25-acre Cordata Park. The project is anticipated to be completed by late fall of 2023, with a budget of $80,000.00 – $95,000.00.
Birchwood Avenue Mural – The selected mural will cover the underpass adjacent to the Bay to Baker Trail, near the hospital staff parking lot. The project is anticipated to be completed by early fall of 2023, with a budget of $70,000.00
Public Works Vehicle Barn – The selected artwork will be attached to undulating metal at the future site of the Public Works Vehicle Barn, 2200 Nevada Street. The artwork will be located along the Virginia Street side of the building, which is 38’L x 31.5’H (at the tallest point), and a long section of vehicle door bays. The site is adjacent to industrial buildings and a bike path/trail connection. The project is anticipated to be completed in the winter of 2022 with a budget of $50,000.
Anamorphic Mural – A mural in the alley behind 1300 Commercial Street, on the columns of the public parking garage to enhance the alley adjacent to the public parking garage. The installation area included eleven concrete columns and two aggregate panels. Completed in 2019 with a budget of $5,000.
Traffic Box Artwork – Original artwork installed on six traffic boxes located in the downtown Arts District. The goal of the project was to reinforce a sense of place and enhance the identity of the district while adding beauty and interest to the streetscape. Completed in 2019 with a budget of $500 for each image selected and installed.
N Forest Street – Create and install artwork on two retaining walls along the southern portion of N. Forest Street (between E. Ivy and Rose Streets. Estimated to be completed in 2021 with a budget of $15,000.00.
Resources
Contacts
Shannon Taysi at staysi@cob.org or 360-778-8360
