Project Information

Bid Title

RIVERFRONT STRATEGIC PLAN

Issuing Agency

City of Frankfort

Location

Kentucky

Published Date

Oct 21, 2025

Closing Date

Dec 10, 2025

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

22526001-85

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Bid Number:	22526001-85
Bid Title:	RIVERFRONT STRATEGIC PLAN
Category:	RIVERFRONT VISIONING AND STRATEGIC PLAN
Status:	Open

Publication Date/Time: 10/21/2025 11:00 AM Closing Date/Time: 12/10/2025 2:00 PM Related Documents: Draft Riverfront RFP - 10-21-25

Attachment Preview

CITY OF FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

RFP Title: Frankfort Riverfront Visioning and Strategic Plan

Bid/Contract Number: 2526001-83

Issuance Date: October 24, 2025

Proposals Due Date: Proposals must be submitted by December 10, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., EST

Contact: Angela Disponette
Office of the Purchasing Division
City of Frankfort, Kentucky
City Hall
315 West Second Street
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
Phone: (502) 352-2076
Email: adisponette@frankfort.ky.gov

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

RFP Schedule 3

Section 1. Introduction to Frankfort and Franklin County, Kentucky……..3

…3

and Strategic Plan Project

Section 3……….General Instructions…………………………………………….4

Section 4……….General Conditions……………………………………………..4

………………………………………………….. 4

……………………………………………….5

C……………………………………………………………..5

D………………………………………………………5

E…………………………5

F………………………………………………5

G…………………………………………………...5

H………………………………………………………………….6

I………………………………………………………....6

J…………………………………………………………….6

K……………………………………………………………….6

Section 5………Responder Preferences………………………………………….6

Section 6………Project Overview and Objective………………………………..7

Section 7………Deliverables and Timeline……………………………………....7

Section 8………Proposal Format………………………………………………...8

Section 9 ……...Response Evaluation…………………………………………....9

Exhibit A – Map of Riverfront Vision Area………………………………….....10

Exhibit B – Riverfront Public Property……….……………………………........11

RFP Schedule:

RFP Release Date	October 24, 2025
Questions due by	December 3, 2025
Responses due by	December 10, 2025
Interviews of selected respondents	January 7 and 8, 2026
Selected respondent announced by	January 21, 2026

1. Introduction to Frankfort and Franklin County, Kentucky

The Kentucky River has its headwaters in eastern Kentucky and runs through Frankfort and Franklin County, Kentucky, on its way to the Ohio River at Carrollton, Kentucky. Frankfort was established in 1786 and is Kentucky’s state capital and the 13th largest city in Kentucky. The river has played a key role in the development of Frankfort, and it runs right through the city’s historic core, which includes over a thousand historic buildings and structures spanning nearly two centuries. Frankfort’s population based on the 2020 census was 28,602. Frankfort is the principal city of the Frankfort, Kentucky micropolitan area, which includes all of Franklin and Anderson counties. Franklin County was established in 1794 and had a population of 52,442 based on a 2024 census update.

With a history of flooding, including disastrous regional flooding in 1937, 1978, and more recently in April 2025, the Kentucky River has been walled off from portions of the city by a levee constructed in the late 1960s and a floodwall constructed in the 1990s.

Throughout this time of separation, the public has consistently called for a connection to the Kentucky River. This desire has been most recently expressed in the City’s 2009 Riverfront Development Plan, the 2018 Downtown Master Plan and the 2021 Blanton’s Landing Feasibility Study. Other studies and plans that include aspects of the Kentucky River in Frankfort and Franklin County include the 2011 City of Frankfort Flood Mitigation Plan, 2013 Second Street Corridor Plan, 2016 Frankfort/Franklin County Walk/Bike Master Plan, 2021 Parks, Recreation, and Historic Sites Master Plan, and the 2024 Land Use Comprehensive Plan. All of these documents are available on the City’s website.

2. Organizations Supporting the Frankfort Riverfront Visioning and Strategic Plan Project

City of Frankfort (City) – which serves as the local municipal government.

Franklin County (County) – which serves as the county government.

Frankfort Tourist and Convention Commission (TCC) – which leads tourism and convention business marketing and meeting with visitors and clients.

Downtown Frankfort, Inc. (DFI) – which is a key force behind Frankfort’s flourishing downtown district. It is a dedicated non-profit organization committed to enhancing the economic, cultural, and social vitality of Frankfort. Supported by and corporate and private sponsors, DFI is led by a passionate Board of Directors and administered Executive Director. Their mission is to create exceptional experiences, stimulate economic development, and promote the well-being of residents, businesses, and visitors through strategic partnerships, innovative marketing, and signature events.

Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce (FCC) – which is the community's catalyst organization to advance Frankfort/Franklin County economic prosperity. FCC achieves this by creating powerful partnerships and leveraging the talents and resources of member businesses to create an environment for growth and success. FCC is a voluntary, non-profit organization of business and professional people dedicated to improving the economic climate of Frankfort and Franklin County.  FCC’s over 600 members utilize the fundamental tools of networking to develop dynamic relationship resulting in business exchanges that strengthen the local and regional economy.

Kentucky Capital Development Corporation (KCDC) – which is the Frankfort/Franklin County economic development agency. KCDC is dedicated to fostering growth and innovation that reflect the unique character of Frankfort and Franklin County. KCDC strives to empower local businesses and attract new ventures to ensure that the Frankfort/Franklin County community continues to thrive.

Additional community partners will be involved through a steering committee. A need exists as well to conduct public outreach and hold community sessions to fully understand the riverfront goals and desires of regional residents, visitors, property owners, units of government and other stakeholders.

3. General Instructions

Provide ten (10) bound “Final Plans” and one (1) electronic version in a PDF format. Responses should comply with Section 6 - Deliverables and Timeline and Section 7 - Proposal Formats outlined later in the RFP. If any proposal is determined not to meet the requirements of this RFP during the evaluation process, the proposal may be rejected by the City and will not be further considered.

Supporting materials such as JPEGs of previous work or links to similar plans in other communities should be sent with the response or a link provided to them if the document is too large to email. If invited for an interview, respondents can suggest other work which will enhance this Plan project.

Pricing and other conditions in the proposal shall remain firm and valid for a period of no less than ninety (90) days from the date of submission. Please submit ten hard copies and one electronic copy to Angie Disponette, City of Frankfort Purchasing Agent, by 2:00 p.m. EST, on December 10, 2025. Submit any additional information at that time.

4. General Conditions

A. Questions and Addenda

Respondents should seek clarification of any ambiguity, conflict, omission, or other error in this RFP in writing to the contact listed in this RFP. No oral statement or communications shall modify or otherwise affect the terms, conditions, or specifications stated in the RFP or ensuing contract. If the answer materially affects this procurement, the information will be issued in an addendum on a rolling basis at regular intervals. All addenda to this RFP must be applied in the proposal submitted to the City. Failure to use the correct and most recent addenda may result in the proposal being rejected. In the case of a discrepancy, the answers provided will govern over all other RFP documents. Any addendum issued shall not be interpreted to relieve Respondents of their authority and duty to comply with applicable federal, state, or local laws, regulations, or policies.

Written communications should be addressed as follows:

Angela Disponette, Office of the Purchasing Division, City of Frankfort, 315 West Second Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. Phone: (502) 352-2076 Email: adisponette@frankfort.ky.gov. The last day for submitting questions will be December 3, 2025. Any questions will be answered and communicated by an addendum to the RFP.

B. Communications Restricted

All communications, oral and written (regular, express, or electronic mail, or fax), concerning this procurement shall be addressed to the Contact person shown on the RFP cover sheet. For violation of this provision, the City shall reserve the right to disqualify the Respondent’s Proposal.

C. Right to Reject

The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals received in response to this RFP, and to waive any informality in this RFP. The award of a contract, if any, shall be at the sole discretion of the City.

D. Retention of Records

The successful Respondent shall be required to maintain, for a period of five years from the date of final payment to the successful Respondent, all books and records pertaining to this RFP.

E. Conflicts, Gratuities, and Kick-Backs Prohibited

The City adheres to the provisions of KRS 45A.455, paragraphs (1) through (5) relative to conflicts of interests, gratuities, kickbacks, and use of confidential information in all proposals.

F. Cost Incurred in Responding

This RFP does not commit the City to pay any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals or in making necessary studies or designs, nor does it commit the City to enter into a contract.

G. Disposition of Proposals

All materials submitted in response to this RFP will become the property of the City. One (1) copy of each proposal shall be retained for the official files and will become a public record after an award is made by the City, and thus open for public inspection. It is understood that the proposal will become a part of the official file without obligation on the part of the City.

H. Disclosure

In compliance with the Kentucky Open Records Act, trade secrets or proprietary information submitted by a Respondent in connection with this RFP shall not be subject to public disclosure. However, the Respondent must invoke this protection before or upon submission of the data or other materials and must clearly identify the specific area or scope of data or other materials to be protected and state the reasons why protection is necessary.

I. Oral Presentations

The City reserves the right to require oral presentations from one or more Respondents as part of the selection process. The City may ask the top scoring Respondent or Respondents to present in person before a selection committee, the City’s Board of Commissioners, or both, prior to selection. All proposals, information and responses from the respondent must be submitted in writing and may be incorporated into any final agreement between the City and the successful respondent. The City’s Partners shall incur no obligation or liability to anyone by issuance of the RFP.

J. Confidentiality

To the extent permitted by law, proposals and the information contained within will be considered confidential and will not be shared with any entities or individuals other than for the purposes of evaluating the various responses.

K. Cancellation

The City reserves the right to cancel the RFP at any time prior to the execution of a written contract.

5. Responder Preferences

A.           Small Business Preference

Under KRS 65.028(5)(k), the City will give preference to a plan that includes the involvement of small businesses as subcontractors, to the extent that small businesses can provide services in a competitive manner, unless any preference interferes with the qualification for funds. Proposals must include a statement explaining the involvement of small businesses or the lack thereof.

B.           Reciprocal Resident Bidder Preference

Under KRS 65.027, where required by law, the City will give a preference to resident bidders against a nonresident bidder registered in any state that gives or requires a preference to bidders from that state, equal to the preference given or required by the state of the nonresident bidder. Any responder claiming resident bidder status shall submit with its proposal a notarized affidavit that affirms it meets the criteria to be considered a resident bidder as set forth in KRS 45A.494(2). Such affidavit is available at: https://finance.ky.gov/office-of-the-secretary/FinanceForms/Affidavit%20for%20Claiming%20Resident%20Bidder%20Status.pdf. Responders not claiming eligibility for resident bidder status shall indicate its state of residence.

C.           Qualified Bidder Preference

Under KRS 45A.470, where required by law, the City will give a preference to any responder claiming qualified bidder status. Any responder claiming qualified bidder status shall submit with its proposal a notarized affidavit that affirms it meets the criteria to be considered a qualified bidder as set forth in KRS 45A.494(2). Such affidavit is available at: https://finance.ky.gov/office-of-the-secretary/FinanceForms/Affidavit%20for%20Bidders%20Offerors%20and%20Contractors%20Claiming%20Qualified%20Bidder%20Status.pdf.

6. Project Overview and Objective

The City is seeking a transformational, visionary riverfront strategy centered on Downtown Frankfort. Exhibit A is a map of Frankfort and the limits of the area for which a transformational, visionary strategy is desired. This area runs through four National Register Historic Districts, one with national significance, and includes two of the City’s three National Historic Landmarks. It is also located in a larger area where the City’s historic zoning is concentrated.

The project will include a detailed and phased riverfront strategy incorporating landscape architecture, urban design, civil and traffic/transportation engineering, projected economic outcomes from any proposed investments, and a targeted federal grant plan. The Plan must excite regional residents, business owners and political units; create opportunities for new public spaces; leverage previous investments; and drive new revenue-generating development along the riverfront, while also being sensitive and complementary to the authentic historic built environment. Incorporating flood damage mitigation strategies into the proposed design is also a strategic goal of the City to ensure future stewardship of our riverfront property. Additionally, the Plan should indicate opportunities to create a cohesive design language along the riverfront that attracts residents, visitors, and investment to the area.

We are seeking a single quoted cost to include all needed travel, subcontractors, printing, etc. Please quote an hourly charge or fee for additional work as well. Suggestions beyond the scope of work in the RFP should be quoted separately.

7. Deliverables & Timeline

The City is looking for the following deliverables in this Visioning and Plan document:

Section A – General regional theme

• Identify precedent regions/communities that present compelling cases for riverfront development on a region-wide scale, including data on population growth/demographic changes, revenue growth, etc.

• Development of an overarching theme for the Frankfort Riverfront within the limits shown in Exhibit A. Include simple brand development collateral (name, sample logo, signage ideas, etc.).

Section B– Downtown Frankfort area

• A highly developed and detailed plan for the Downtown Frankfort Riverfront to include multiple detailed renderings of suggested public space and development to engage and energize citizens and stakeholders.

• Present ideas which create multi-generational multi-use public space including event spaces, play areas, public art, lighting, etc.

• Thoughts on use of existing roadway for adding/improving public space.

• Landscape design renderings of new and or re-imagined public space.

• Incorporating flood damage mitigation strategies into the proposed design where appropriate

• Strategies within the design to encourage river tourism to Frankfort including but not limited to designs and features which encourage connecting river users to downtown and supplying itinerant slips for traveling boaters.

• Traffic considerations including: (1) a replaced Singing Bridge and (2) ideas to improve pedestrian access from the Riverfront to Downtown Frankfort.

• Budget estimates for suggested public spaces.

• Ideal timeline and a prioritization schedule for Downtown Frankfort Riverfront efforts.

• Identifying opportunities for development, particularly ground floor spaces and upper-level residential units and provide an understanding of revenue impact for local units of government resulting from new public and private developments.

Section C – Federal Funding Sources

• Develop a prioritized, sequential federal funding strategy containing grant opportunities, application timelines, and other concerns to favorably position Plan suggestions for federal support. Additionally, provide guidance on federal and state sources for other regional concerns including bike and pedestrian trials, “rails to trails” efforts, as well as last mile transportation projects and electric vehicle charging stations.

The City and its Partners would like to present the Plan to the region by July 31, 2026.

8. Proposal Format

The City is expecting respondents to demonstrate their creativity, knowledge, and presentation skills in their response. Please provide the following information in the response in this order:

• Firm profile and history including awards, accolades, or any other recognition.

• Key personnel who will be dedicated to the project and their qualifications.

• Examples of relevant work, especially for similar community or municipal projects.

• Identification of any subcontractors, along with their planned tasks, key personnel, and firm profile.

• Please detail, in a section-by-section manner, how your firm will provide the deliverables requested and meet the City’s timeline for this project.

• Please provide a detailed plan for public outreach sessions to determine support for changes in the riverfront area including types of sessions, online tools, or other strategies, as well as plans for ongoing public communication and engagement plans.

• The project will require the coordination of many Federal, State, City and County departments and agencies. Please provide examples of similar coordination in your previous work.

• A single quoted cost for the Project, including all subcontractors, printing, travel, meals, etc.

• Three client references, at least two of which are current clients.

9. Response Evaluation

Respondents will be evaluated on the following:

A. Experience with similar projects; creativity exhibited in relevant work

B. Completeness, professionalism, and creativity of response

C. Costs for the proposal

D. Use of local subcontractors

E. References

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541611Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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