Project Information

Bid Title

Master Plan Update

Issuing Agency

City of Ypsilanti

Location

Michigan

Published Date

Jun 18, 2026

Closing Date

Jun 30, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

RFP-06182026

Original Source

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Project Description

Bid Number:	RFP-06182026
Bid Title:	Master Plan Update
Category:	Professional Services
Status:	Open

Description: The City of Ypsilanti is seeking qualified planning consultants to assist in a comprehensive update of the City's Master Plan. The selected consultant will work closely with City staff, elected and appointed officials, community partners, and residents to produce a forward-looking, equity-centered, and actionable plan that guides land use, development, infrastructure, mobility, housing, sustainability, and community investment decisions over the next 20 years. The updated Master Plan should reflect Ypsilanti's unique character, values, and aspirations; address current and emerging challenges; and align with regional planning efforts. Publication Date/Time: 6/18/2026 4:00 PM Closing Date/Time: 6/30/2026 12:00 PM Submittal Information: Electronic: dagha@cityofypsilanti.com OR Sealed delivery: City of Ypsilanti, One South Huron Stree Pre-bid Meeting: None Contact Person: Joe Meyers, Director of Community Services JMeyers@cityofypsilanti.com | 734.482.9882 Business Hours: MON - FRI, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Qualifications: Proposals should demonstrate the following qualifications: •        Demonstrated experience preparing municipal master plans, preferably for communities of comparable size and complexity. •        Expertise in community engagement, including creative and equitable outreach methods. •        Strong graphic design, mapping, and data analysis capabilities. •        Experience integrating sustainability, equity, and economic development into planning documents. •        Ability to work collaboratively with municipal staff, boards, commissions, and community partners. Related Documents: Ypsilanti Masterplan Update RFP 1

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CITY OF YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN

Department of Community Services

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Master Plan Update

RFP Title

Issuing Department

Contact

Issue Date

Questions Deadline

Proposal Due Date

Pre-Proposal Meeting

Submission Method

Master Plan Update

Department of Community Services

Joe Meyers, Director of Community Services

JMeyers@cityofypsilanti.com | 734.482.9882

June 18, 2026

June 30, 2026

July 17, 2026, 12:00 PM (Noon) ET

None

Electronic: dagha@cityofypsilanti.com OR Sealed delivery: City of

Ypsilanti, One South Huron Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48197

Section I. Request for Proposals

Scope of Proposed Work

The City of Ypsilanti is seeking qualified planning consultants to assist in a comprehensive update

of the City's Master Plan. The selected consultant will work closely with City staff, elected and

appointed officials, community partners, and residents to produce a forward-looking, equity-

centered, and actionable plan that guides land use, development, infrastructure, mobility, housing,

sustainability, and community investment decisions over the next 20 years. The updated Master

Plan should reflect Ypsilanti's unique character, values, and aspirations; address current and

emerging challenges; and align with regional planning efforts. See the full Scope of Work in

Section II for detailed task requirements and deliverables.

Consultant Qualifications

Proposals should demonstrate the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience preparing municipal master plans, preferably for communities of

comparable size and complexity.

• Expertise in community engagement, including creative and equitable outreach methods.

• Strong graphic design, mapping, and data analysis capabilities.

• Experience integrating sustainability, equity, and economic development into planning

documents.

• Ability to work collaboratively with municipal staff, boards, commissions, and community

partners.

Proposal Submission Requirements

To be considered responsive, each proposal shall include:

• A statement of qualifications and relevant project experience, with examples of

comparable master plans.

• Identification of key personnel who will be assigned to the project, including roles and

relevant experience.

• A proposed approach and methodology for completing the Scope of Work in Section II.

• A proposed project schedule with major milestones.

• At least three (3) references from comparable municipal clients.

• A completed Cost Proposal Form (Section III), itemized as Professional Services /

Consultant Fees and Reimbursable Expenses, with a not-to-exceed total.

Project Schedule and Completion Period

The project is anticipated to commence in August 2026, following consultant selection, and to

proceed through final plan preparation and adoption in accordance with the phased schedule set

out in Section II, Project Timeline and Phasing. The full process is expected to span approximately

16 months, with final plan preparation and adoption following the community engagement on the

draft plan.

Proposal Format and Expectations

To allow for a fair and consistent review, each proposal should meet the following format and

content expectations:

• Proposals should be submitted as a single PDF document and should not exceed twenty-

five (25) pages, excluding the cover letter, required forms, and personnel resumes.

• Proposals should be organized in the order of the submission requirements listed above

so that reviewers can readily locate each required item.

• All cost information should be provided only on the Cost Proposal Form in Section III and

should not appear in the narrative portions of the proposal.

• The proposed approach should clearly distinguish work to be performed by the consultant

from work that City staff will lead, consistent with the phasing in Section II.

• Proposals should identify any work the proposer intends to subcontract, along with the

names and qualifications of proposed subconsultants.

• The proposer should confirm its ability to meet the project schedule and identify any

current commitments that could affect the availability of assigned personnel.

• Proposals should be complete and responsive at the time of submission. The City is under

no obligation to request missing or clarifying information.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals determined to be responsive will be evaluated and scored by a review committee using

the criteria and relative weights below. The City may, at its discretion, request interviews or

presentations from one or more shortlisted firms before making a final selection.

Evaluation Criteria

Qualifications and relevant experience with comparable master plans

Proposed approach and methodology for the Scope of Work

Community engagement strategy and demonstrated equity practices

Weight

25 points

25 points

20 points

Evaluation Criteria

Qualifications of assigned key personnel

Cost proposal and overall value to the City

References from comparable municipal clients

Total

Weight

10 points

15 points

5 points

100 points

Selection and Rejection of Proposals

The City of Ypsilanti reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals or parts of

proposals; to waive any and all irregularities, informalities, or inconsistencies; to negotiate

contract terms with the successful applicant(s); and to disregard all non-conforming, non-

responsive, or conditional proposals. The City of Ypsilanti will accept the proposal(s) or parts of

any proposal(s) that it determines, in its sole discretion, to be in the best interest of the City of

Ypsilanti. Such acceptance will be based on level of experience, qualifications, costs, and other

factors. Price shall not be the sole determining factor.

Location of Applicant

In their proposals, applicants should identify the location of their headquarters or the physical

location of the owner, any use of locally produced products, what percentage of employees are

local, and describe any planned efforts to employ local persons for the purposes of the completion

of the work. Pursuant to Chapter 2, Article VI of the Code of Ordinances for the City of Ypsilanti,

in comparing proposals that are substantially similar, local proposals will be given preference.

Section II. Scope of Work

1. Project Overview

The City of Ypsilanti is seeking qualified planning consultants to assist in a comprehensive update

of the City's Master Plan. The selected consultant will work closely with City staff, elected and

appointed officials, community partners, and residents to produce a forward-looking, equity-

centered, and actionable plan that guides land use, development, infrastructure, mobility, housing,

sustainability, and community investment decisions over the next 20 years.

The updated Master Plan should reflect Ypsilanti's unique character, values, and aspirations;

address current and emerging challenges; and align with regional planning efforts.

2. Objectives

The consultant team will be expected to:

• Develop a clear, data-driven understanding of existing conditions, trends, and future

scenarios.

• Facilitate, with staff, an inclusive, accessible, and creative community engagement

process.

• Produce a Master Plan that is implementable, measurable, and aligned with state planning

requirements.

• Integrate existing and future community values throughout the plan.

• Work closely with and provide professional guidance to City staff, boards, and

commissions throughout the planning process.

3. Tasks

A. Existing Conditions and Data Analysis

• Review and analyze demographic, economic, housing, land use, transportation,

environmental, and infrastructure data.

• Evaluate existing City plans, zoning ordinances, and relevant regional or state plans.

• Identify key trends, opportunities, and challenges.

B. Community Engagement

• Develop and implement a robust engagement strategy, with City staff, tailored to Ypsilanti

and its neighborhoods.

• Utilize a mix of engagement tools such as workshops, open houses, surveys, pop-up

events, and digital platforms.

• Ensure engagement methods are accessible and inclusive of historically underrepresented

people.

• Document engagement outcomes and integrate them into plan recommendations.

C. Vision, Goals, and Policy Framework

• Provide policy recommendations across key topic areas, which may include:

◦ Land use and zoning

◦ Housing affordability and diversity

◦ Identifying infill projects

◦ Transportation and mobility

◦ Economic development

◦ Parks, recreation, and open space

◦ Sustainability and climate resilience

◦ Historic preservation

◦ Public health and safety

◦ Arts, culture, and placemaking

D. Future Land Use Plan and Mapping

• Prepare updated future land use maps, character areas, and related graphics.

• Recommend zoning updates or regulatory strategies to support the plan's vision.

• Provide GIS-based deliverables compatible with City systems.

E. Implementation Strategy

• Develop a prioritized implementation plan with timelines, responsible parties, cost

considerations, and measurable indicators.

• Identify potential funding sources and partnerships.

• Provide tools for monitoring progress and updating the plan over time.

F. Final Plan Preparation

• Produce a visually compelling, user-friendly Master Plan document.

• Provide digital and print-ready formats, including maps, graphics, and appendices.

• Present the final plan with City staff to the City Council and Planning Commission.

4. Deliverables

At a minimum, the consultant shall provide: an existing conditions and data analysis report; a

documented community engagement summary; a complete draft Master Plan for staff and public

review; final future land use mapping and GIS files compatible with City systems; a prioritized

implementation strategy; and a final adopted-ready Master Plan in both digital and print-ready

formats, along with presentation materials for the City Council and Planning Commission.

5. Project Timeline and Phasing

The Master Plan update is organized into five phases. Phases may overlap where noted. City

staff will assist in community engagement and stakeholder coordination, with the consultant

providing the professional work products identified in each phase.

Step

1

Timeline

5 months

August 2026 to January

2027

Task

Initial citywide engagement.

Video series will occur during this time.

Survey will be online.

Neighborhood listening sessions.

Pop-up tents at events or shops.

Existing Conditions and Data Analysis

2

3 months

Stakeholder groups.

May occur concurrently with Have commissions review the plan and answer a guided

community engagement

questionnaire provided by staff.

3

5 months

Review initial feedback from community and stakeholders.

January 2027 to May 2027

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541310Architectural Services

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