Halifax Urban Greenway Association

---Request for Proposals---

Trail Design and Construction Plan

[Revision Dated August 3, 2004]

1.0 Background

The Halifax Urban Greenway Association in partnership with HRM requires the services of a firm to:

1.0.1 undertake detailed trail construction design and tender document preparation;

1.0.2 assist in issuing and reviewing the tender submissions for construction; and

1.0.3 coordinate the construction and inspection of the Greenway.

The Halifax Urban Greenway Association (HUGA) produced the Halifax Urban Greenway Proposal in 2002. It is the concept plan for the routing of a system of footpaths and a multi-purpose trail along the top of the CN railway cut between Chebucto Road and Point Pleasant Park.

This RFP deals with the section from South Street south to the Park as the first phase. It covers the eastside of the CN rail cut from South Street to Marlborough Woods, both sides from Marlborough Woods to the Pinehill Drive-Francklyn Street intersection and the westside from that intersection to Young Avenue. Also included are links to Marlborough Woods Park, Robie Street, Saint Mary's University and Point Pleasant Park along Francklyn Street. A footpath along the Pinehill Drive-Harbourview Drive section has been added to the concept plan.

This will be the largest addition to active transportation, public access and open space development in the South End-Northwest Arm area in generations.

HUGA is setting a vision commensurate with the magnitude of the project. There are three overarching principles that must be incorporated into the detailed design. These are: linking opportunities; appreciating surroundings and respecting community.

Each of these is spelled out in turn.

1.1 Linking Opportunities

The Greenway is to be a linkage between public assets, connecting and enhancing public spaces and facilities along its route.

This includes parks and parkettes, water access points, and eventually three university campuses and Point Pleasant Park. The Greenway will integrate these into convenient and easy access for residents in the immediate neighbourhood and beyond.

The multi-purpose trail will promote active transportation. It will open up new safe access routes to these facilities for walkers, bicyclists and wheelchairs. The possibility of also accommodating in-line skates and skateboards will be investigated during this design process.

1.2 Appreciating Surroundings

The Greenway will be a linear extension of Point Pleasant Park, compensating for hurricane damage to that Park by adding a large natural area to the city's public access realm. Appreciation of the scenic, ecological and historical aspects of that natural area will be a significant factor in the detailed design.

There will be retention of all major trees and stone wall remnants unless there is absolutely no alternative. Views into and across the cut are to be preserved by the minimum placement and minimum height of chain link fencing while still fulfilling the requirements of a hazard assessment.

There will be trail amenities provided in the form of benches and picnic tables where appropriate. There will be a trail interpretation program involving signage and literature, dealing with both the natural environment and the history of the CN rail cut and the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Finally, there will be the opportunity for the viewing of the railway and port activities that are the reason for the cut's existence.

1.3 Respecting Community

A major project such as this can potentially, if not designed and implemented properly, have both detrimental and beneficial impacts on the surrounding neighbourhoods. It is HUGA's intention to minimize any potential adverse impacts on the community, while maximizing the opportunities for community involvement and benefit.

The Greenway raises the possibility that a number of currently dead-end streets could be opened up to public through traffic by walkers and bicyclists. In the Rogers Drive, Gorsebrook Avenue, Greenwood Avenue and Marlborough Avenue cases, HUGA does not support a design that would encourage this. On the other hand, Beaufort Avenue and potentially Robie Street could become major new north-south linkages leading over the railway cut to Point Pleasant Park.

A police assessment will attempt to eliminate any nooks and crannies on the trails that could invite crime. The detailed plan will address nuisance issues, including vandalism, littering, loitering, noise and graffiti.

A traffic safety plan will design the intersections of the trail with existing railway bridge roads to ensure vehicular access by residents has priority. Pedestrian crossings from the eastside of Beaufort Avenue will be planned with an eye to the speeding problem on the street. Additional parking by trail users will be discouraged.

The issue of crusher dust versus asphalt surfacing for the multi-purpose trail is eventually for HRM to decide. However, the detailed plan will layout the pros and cons and cost of each alternative so that members of the public can make their preferences known to HRM.

Finally, the preparation of the detailed plan will include community consultation and suggestions for ongoing community involvement in the project during and after construction.

2.0 Goal

Prepare and coordinate a ready for tender detailed trail design and construction plan for the Urban Greenway.

3.0 Scope of Work

Specific design issues for each section of the Greenway must be addressed. These are noted as follows:

3.1 South Street to Oakland Road - East Side

1. Benches in the parkette

2. Narrow sidewalk allowance near South Street may necessitate internal routing there. POSSIBLE TEMPORARY MULTI-PURPOSE TRAIL ALONG NARROW SECTION FOR BUDGETARY REASONS.

3. Major tree in middle of this section is split and decision has to be made on its viability and routing of multi-purpose trail in its vicinity.

4. Utility poles are in middle of sidewalk allowance throughout section.

5. Low shrub grows thickly throughout interior as possible bird habitat.

3.2 Oakland Road to Belmont on the Arm- East Side

1. Narrow sidewalk allowance and power pole in alignment at or near Oakland. POSSIBLE TEMPORARY MULTI-PURPOSE TRAIL ALONG NARROW SECTION FOR BUDGETARY REASONS.

2. Footpath going across extensive area with no soil cover and with long guy wires to power pole.

3. Footpath going AROUND AND across Power Corp. POWER STATION, graveled access road and parking area

4. Narrow sidewalk with major trees in vicinity of Regina Terrace. Subsequent need to divert multi-purpose trail onto CN land and merge with footpath. Steep slopes up and down. Wheel chair access possibly to remain along sidewalk allowance. How to allow same without all users going along sidewalk allowance? POSSIBLE TEMPORARY MULTI-PURPOSE TRAIL ALONG NARROW SECTION FOR BUDGETARY REASONS.

3.3 Belmont on the Arm to Marlborough Woods- East Side

1. Leaving lower level OF TERRACED AREA available for informal footpath creation by community with any required fencing appropriately placed.

3.4 South Street to Marlborough Woods – West Side

1. Present informal access is not to be affected along the Belmont on the Arm to Marlborough Woods section

3.5 Marlborough Woods to Pinehill Drive - East Side

The consultant will suggest alternate alignments as well as the preferred one for a multi-purpose trail through this section. Once Saint Mary’s has approved either the preferred or an alternate routing, before or at the outset of its campus master planning process, the consultant will do the detailed planning and design for the selected alignment

The following criteria are to be used, with Saint Mary’s approval, for the detailed design:

1. Student parking lot with no curb and gutter. Discuss and design the need to add same.

2. Both trails between parking lot and edge of cut.

3. Multi-purpose and how close will it be to houses. Three new ones are expected across from parking lot.

4. Eroded part of currently-used footpath alignment

5. Two trails combine at narrow section at the end of Greenwood.

6. Multi-purpose goes down through valley and SMU property.

7. Detailed planning with SMU.

8. Stone wall remnant at end of Greenwood, which must be broken through.

9. Stone wall remnant paralleling cut, which must not be crossed.

10. Look-off on "the rock".

11. Link with Robie Street.

12. Links with campus and how relate to Rogers Drive and Gorsebrook Avenue.

13. Where two trails combined and where separate..

14. Pedestrian bridge approach.

3.6 Pedestrian Bridge over Cut

1. Revised alignment on Pinehill Drive end from concept plan.

2. Needs extensive design.

3.7 Marlborough Woods to Pinehill Drive - West Side

1. Link to Marlborough Woods Park and water access: footpath paralleling laneway through Park, from west end of railway bridge to stonewall boundary, along stone wall and across driveway entrance to waterfront access road entrance

2. Lady slippers on either side of footpath alignment.

3. Trail amenity - possibility of bench or picnic table on platform on former foundation of first power tower.

4. Design and cost one exit to public street across private property.

5. ONLY IF APPRAOCH TO MAPLEWOOD LANDOWNERS IS UNSUCCESSFUL: Design and cost other exit along side of floor of railway cut and up side of slope below line of sight of adjacent residence, to come up beyond power tower.

6. Power towers to deal with Power Corp. on (see letter on website).

3.8 Pinehill Drive from Francklyn Street to Tower Road

1. Pedestrian bridge approach ramp.

2. Footpath added to concept plan.

3. Multi-purpose trail to avoid winter parking area of residents if possible.

4. Power towers to deal with Power Corp. on (see letter on website).

3.9 Harbourview Drive from Tower Road to Young Avenue

1. Rezoning and subdivision situation is uncertain.

2. Footpath to be designed along section in addition to multi-purpose trail as a contingency.

3. Possible benches and port viewing area.

4. Power towers to deal with Power Corp. on (see letter on website)..

5. Location of Greenway entrance signage and map on Young Avenue

3.10 South of Young Avenue

1. Assess suitability for port viewing area as opposed to other side of street.

3.11 Francklyn Street from Pinehill Drive to Point Pleasant Park

1. Getting multi-purpose trail past residence at bottom on Pinehill Drive without using its frontage if possible.

2. Multi-purpose trail to continue along sidewalk on eastside of Francklyn to all Park entrances once has crossed at foot of Point Pleasant Drive.

3. Multi-purpose trail to continue up Point Pleasant Drive to Tower Road entrance of Park.

3.12 For each of the above sections, the consultant should address the following:

3.12.1 The consultant will walk the route with HUGA Board members prior to starting design work.

3.12.2 The multi-purpose trail will go over HRM sidewalk and street allowances and SMU property unless this is clearly not possible.

3.12.3 The footpaths will go over CN lands unless this is clearly not possible.

3.12.4 Wheelchair accessibility is to be provided on all sections of the multi purpose trail.

3.12.5 Detailed trail design standards [including retaining walls, drainage plans, bridge/culvert designs, benches, waste can containers, etc.

3.12.6 Width of secondary footpaths where they parallel the multi-purpose trail on the same side of the cut shall be the minimum compatible with safety.

3.12.7 The footpath on the westside of the Marlborough Woods to Pinehill Drive-Francklyn Street section shall be the full width usual for a primary footpath.

3.12.8 Major trees and major closely packed clumps of trees such as birches are to be identified. They are to be retained at any cost where readily visible from the street. If they are not readily visible from the street, they are to be retained unless prohibitively expensive or impossible to realign the trail to avoid them. Some trees may have to be removed for crime prevention planning.

3.12.9 The consultant will recommend any additional conservation measures as may be necessary.

3.12.10 Fencing is to be kept to an absolute minimum as called for by the hazard assessment.

3.12.11 The multi-purpose trail will have to break through the first stone wall remnant that is closer to Beaufort Avenue and perpendicular to the trail route.

Stones that have to be removed to do this are to be placed along the sides of the trail as an “entranceway”.

3.12.12 The multi-purpose trail is not to break through the second stone wall remnant farther from Beaufort Avenue and paralleling the trail route.

3.12.13 Trail design standards to incorporate CPTED safety principles. This is to include consideration of and recommendations on nuisance issues affecting the surrounding neighbourhood.

3.12.14 Trail tread surface recommendations [asphalt vs. crusher dust] and costing. Multi purpose modes of travel, including wheelchairs, bicycles, inline skates and skateboards are to be compared for each type of surface.

3.12.15 If paving with asphalt is to proceed in any location, the consultant will ensure that any residue from such paving is removed.

3.12.16 Shrubs are to added in at least some stretches in the curbside verge along Beaufort Avenue.

3.12.17 The trails are not to encourage access from the dead end streets other than Robie and Beaufort.

3.12.18 Means of lessening opportunities for short cutting from dead end streets to the trail – such as barriers and shrubs - are to be included in the trail design.

3.12.19 Trails are to be placed as far as possible from existing houses while maintaining a reasonable separation between the multi purpose trail and foot path.

3.12.20 One or more public meeting[s]/open houses to seek comments on the

design from the general public

3.12.21 The traffic planing is to give safe priority to neighbourhood residents crossing the railway bridges and is to provide safe pedestrian, bicycle and wheelchair access across Beaufort Avenue while addressing the issue of speeding on the street.

3.12.22 Detailed designs for trailheads and points of interest [including lighting, signage, benches, etc.] and location of interpretive panels.

3.12.23 Detailed design for lighting along the multi-purpose trail, where such lighting is needed to supplement existing street lighting.

3.12.24 In addition to designing the lighting, the consultant will make recommendations on the hours of opening and the consequent need for lighting on the multi-purpose trail.

3.12.25 Recommendations regarding the phasing of trail and trailhead construction and the location of points of interest.

3.12.26 Recommendations regarding aesthetic improvements required immediately adjacent to the primary trail [pruning and trimming for the site lines, refuse removal]

3.12.27 A complete tender package for the construction of the trail, trailheads and any accessory construction required.

3.12.28 Assisting in the issuing and review of the tender submissions for construction

3.12.29 Inspection and management of on site construction

3.12.30 Recommendations on how to discourage additional parking demands along

the trail alignment by trail users.

3.12.31 Any fencing to leave as much vegetated area as possible between the trail or footpath and the fencing, without necessitating a significant loss of vegetation to construct the fencing.

3.12.32 Fencing required by CN to keep trail users off railway alignment to be on edge of floor of cut where possible.

4.0 Reporting

The following progress reporting sessions and times are suggested:

Prior to January 2005

4.1 Presentation to Saint Mary’s University:

for their alignment decision; analysis of alternative alignments within HRM Beaufort Avenue extension and SMU property.

i. include impact on vegetation, accessibility, adjoining houses.

ii. include analysis of link to Robie Street, links to campus suggestions, suggestions for relation to Rogers Drive, Gorsebrook Avenue

4.2 Presentation to HUGA:

of design for entire Phase One, including pedestrian bridge, with exception of Marlborough Woods to Saint Mary’s section.

i. Include impact on vegetation, accessibility.

ii. Include sample intersection redesign

4.3 PUBLIC PRESENTATION:

of South Street to Marlborough Woods section design. Addition of Marlborough Woods to Pinehill Drive west side, essentially as a special project, due to special circumstances.

Prior to June 2005

4.4 Construction work underway.

4.5 Presentation to Saint Mary’s:

of detailed design for Marlborough Woods to Pinehill Drive eastside

i. Include perspective drawings (layperson's view on the ground) through "SMU valley" stretch and looking across the pedestrian bridge towards Pinehill Drive

4.6 PUBLIC PRESENTATION:

of Marlborough Woods to Point Pleasant Park and Young Avenue section design.

5.0 Deliverables

10 copies of a final report that responds to the scope of work defined above and digital copies acceptable to HRM and HUGA.

10 copies of tender documents and plans

An executive summary with any necessary graphics and design that can be used in a brochure publication for the general public.

6.0 Contents of Submission

The following elements should be addressed:

A description of how the work is going to be carried out

A list of deliverables

The work schedule for the study

The team members who will carry out the work and their respective experience

The total fees for the plan such as preparation of tender documents, project management and inspection, printing fees, etc. for each phase

7.0 Conditions

Three copies of the submission to be delivered in sealed envelopes on or before 21st day, August 2004 at 4pm to :

HRM procurement

All inquiries to be made to : contact person for HUGA or HRM with phone, fax and email contacts

Clearly mark envelopes as: Halifax Urban Greeway Trail Construction and Design Plan

All submissions will become the exclusive property of HUGA or HRM depending who is putting out the call.

In the selection of a successful proposal, if any, the decision of HUGA is final.

HUGA reserves the right to accept or reject any or all of the proposals. All or part of a proposal may be accepted.

8.0 Evaluation

Submissions will be scored as follows:

Proposed Methodology 35%

Approach to Scope of Services

Management of Project

Work Plan

Schedule 10%

Submission Quality 5%

Completeness, Clarity and Conciseness 20%

Fee Proposal, Level of Effort 30%

Total 100%

Appendix:

The following items are not part of the RFP but are retained here for future reference.

South Street to Oakland Road - East Side:

Greenway entrance signage and map

Directional signage to South Street water access

Oakland Road to Belmont on the Arm- East Side:

Directional signage to Oakland Road water access

Geological interpretation and viewing point in this area

Apparent orchard trees from original estates near Belmont on the Arm entrance. Interpretation of same.

Belmont on the Arm to Marlborough Woods- East Side:

There are two distinct levels for footpaths, due to fill placed to create Beaufort Avenue. Topographical interpretation of same.

South Street to Marlborough Woods – West Side:

Conservation measures to be recommended

Marlborough Woods to Pinehill Drive - West Side:

Directional signage and welcoming landscaping or vegetation feature at entrance at west side of railway bridge.

Directional signage at entrance to Armoyan pathway, including “private pathway” notice.

Welcome signage, bench and/or picnic table for Park

Views through Maplewood Subdivision to Northwest Arm. Historical interpretation.

Francklyn Street from Pinehill Drive to Point Pleasant Park:

Directional signage to Bilton Lane water access.

Harbourview Drive from Tower Road to Young Avenue:

Design of Greenway entrance signage and map on Young Avenue

[saved as RFP_FINAL_revised on August 3, 2004]