Project Information

Bid Title

Design Services for Parking Lot Improvement, Strawberry Lot

Issuing Agency

City of St. Joseph

Location

Michigan

Published Date

Dec 11, 2025

Closing Date

Jan 27, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

title	closing date	status	files	view
Design Services for Parking Lot Improvement, Strawberry Lot	01/27/2026 - 3:00pm	Open - accepting bids and proposals	City of St. Joseph DSPLI-SL: RFP	View Details

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Request for

Proposal

Design Services for Parking

Lot Improvement, Strawberry

Lot

City of St. Joseph, Department of Public Works

1160 Broad Street St. Joseph, MI 49085

I. Purpose

This Request for Proposal (“RFP”) is to provide interested area Engineering and Landscape

Design? firms with sufficient information to submit proposals for consideration by the City

of St. Joseph (“City”) in connection with its needs for Design Services for parking lot

improvements to the Strawberry Lot.

Favorable pricing will be one element of the selection process, but the experience of the

firm, qualifications, experience and ability of assigned staff, completeness of the level of

service proposed and timeliness of service proposed by the Bidder will be significant

factors in award of this contract. Final decision on selection of the Bidder for this project

will be determined by the City Commission. The City reserves the right to reject any

proposals or parts of proposals. The City also reserves the right to waive any irregularities,

inconsistencies, or take what other action is appropriate as determined by the City to be in

the best interest of the City.

A complete Request for Proposal may be viewed or downloaded at www.sjcity.com, or

mailed by contacting the City Clerk.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL: Design Services for Parking Lot Improvement,

Strawberry Lot.

CLOSING DATE AND TIME: 3:00 pm Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Scope of Work & Bid Specifications:

It is the City’s desire to select a highly qualified firm that will provide the best available

landscaping and engineering design services for the redesign of the Strawberry Lot (see

appendix 1). The Strawberry Lot is a public parking lot located on the east side of State

Street between Market and Elm Streets consisting of approximately 56 parking spaces and

two curb cuts along State Street, two curb cuts utilizing the easterly alley for access to Elm

& Market Street.

As a bid alternate the City is requesting pricing for the Peach Lot. The Peach Lot is located

on the south side of Ship Street, between Main Street and Court Street consisting of

approximately 27 parking spaces with one curb cut utilizing the westerly alley for access to

Ship Street, and one curb cut on Court Street.

It is expected that the firm selected through this RFP process will perform, accomplish, or

assist in the delivery of comprehensive project design services resulting in the

development of plans; coordinate with city staff, partners, stakeholders, regulatory

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agencies and other entities to develop the plans; and support the City’s public outreach

efforts.

Specifically, the successful consultant will redesign the municipal parking lot that is in

disrepair to be a multi-benefit demonstration project that to the extent practicable,

includes ADA improvements, electrical improvements, a bicycle corral, infrastructure for

electric vehicle charging stations, storm water capture and retention, and drought tolerant

Michigan native landscaping. In addition, designs will address the sidewalk, curb and gutter

as well as assess the parking lot layout and surrounding on-street parking spaces to

maximize parking potential in the parking lot. The City anticipates the consultant to

propose innovative solutions and approaches to save cost and time on the project.

The design of this lot is part of a more comprehensive plan for all downtown City public

parking lots as described in the Downtown Vision Master Plan. The recently reconstructed

Raspberry Lot design is to be used as a baseline for the redesign of the Strawberry Lot (see

appendix 2.)

The Scope of Work shall include, but is not limited to the following tasks:

1. Facilitating public input meetings with the Downtown Development Authority and

nearby businesses (not more than three meetings)

2. Provide several alternative conceptual plans and color renderings for the lot that

maximize the best use of the property while providing safe pedestrian access,

vehicular movements and efficient snow removal.

3. Incorporate the use of vegetation to reduce heat island effect, natural storm water

filtration features, permeable pavers where appropriate (i.e., sidewalks, bicycle

parking areas, and electric car charging areas).

4. Fees for boundary, topographic survey as well as geotechnical engineering services.

5. Provide an opinion of future construction costs.

6. Provide ready-for-bid construction drawings.

III. Issuing Officer (Point of Contact)

Questions regarding the scope of work to be accomplished may be directed to Greg

Grothous, Director of Public Works at (269) 985-0309.

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IV. Addenda

In the event it becomes necessary to modify any part of this Request for Proposal, addenda

will be issued to all parties who received the original RFP.

V. Instructions to Bidders

Sealed bids are due at the St. Joseph City Clerk’s Office no later than 3:00 pm, January 27,

2026.

Proposals may be mailed or delivered to the City of St. Joseph City Clerk, 700 Broad Street,

St. Joseph, Michigan 49085. Sealed envelopes should be plainly marked:

Attention: City Clerk

Re: Design Services for Strawberry Lot Improvements

700 Broad Street

St. Joseph, MI 49085

It is the sole responsibility of the Bidder to see that its proposal is received within the

required time period. The City is not responsible for any errors or irregularities with the

delivery method utilized for submittal of the Proposal. Any proposals received after the

closing date and time will be returned unopened.

VI. Incurring Costs

The City is not liable for any costs related to respondents’ preparation of their proposal.

VII. Withdrawal of Proposal

Any Bidder may withdraw its proposal in person, by facsimile, or by letter, any time prior

to the scheduled closing time for receipt of proposals. Each proposal shall be considered

binding and in effect for a period of Sixty (60) days after the closing date.

VIII. Opening of Proposals

Proposals will be opened publicly at 3:00 pm, January 27, 2026 in the City Hall

Commission Chambers, 700 Broad Street, St. Joseph, Michigan.

IX. Evaluation of Proposals

It is the intent of the City to evaluate all proposals quickly and be prepared to recommend

an award at the February 2, 2026 City Commission meeting.

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X. Negotiations

The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and negotiate with any source, in

any manner necessary, deemed to be in its best interest.

XI. Award of Contract / Acceptance of Proposal (Terms and Conditions)

The contents of this RFP and the respondent’s proposal, as submitted and/or modified,

shall become contractual obligations to be executed by the authorized contracting agents of

both parties.

The successful bidder must procure and maintain the following insurance with carriers

acceptable to the City and admitted to do business in the State of Michigan, and provide

proof of the same to the City:

• Worker’s Compensation Insurance, including employers’ Liability coverage, in

accordance with Michigan law.

• Commercial General Liability Insurance on an “Occurrence Basis” with limits of

liability not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and aggregate. Coverage shall

include the following extensions: A). contractual liability, B) Broad form general

liability extensions or equivalent.

• Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance, including Michigan No-Fault coverages, with

limits not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence combined single limit for bodily

injury and property damage. Coverage shall include all owned vehicles, non-owned

vehicles, and hired vehicles.

The Commercial General Liability Insurances shall include an endorsement naming

as an additional insured the City of St. Joseph, all elected and appointed officials,

employees, volunteers, boards, commissions, and/or authorities and boards,

including members, employees and volunteers thereof. Bidder’s insurance shall be

primary and any other insurance City may have in effect shall be considered

secondary and/or excess. Coverage shall be maintained throughout the term of the

agreement.

Professional Liability in an amount not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence and

aggregate. If this policy is claims made form, then the contractor shall be required to

keep the policy in force, or purchase “tail” coverage, for a minimum of 3 years after the

termination of this contract.

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Commodity Codes

• NAICS 236220Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
• NAICS 237310Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction
• NAICS 238990All Other Specialty Trade Contractors
• NAICS 541330Engineering Services

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