A very large project is on the way for the downtown core of Strathroy and Mount Brydges but the good news for now is it’s still 2-5 years away. This week at council, a report was submitted by staff about the eventual new streetscape design and downtown infrastructure renewal and revitalization project. Director of Engineering & Public Works Jake Straus reported that in Strathroy’s downtown, the underground infrastructure is in need of replacement including water, wastewater and stormwater, and during this process, it provides an opportunity to revitalize the streetscape. In Mount Brydges, along Adelaide Road, it has been determined that there is an opportunity to update the streetscape as well. The original project cost was budgeted for $100,000 for the design services in the approved 2022 Capital Budget. It will now cost $284,592 with the additional $184,592 (Excluding HST) to be drawn from the reserve fund and here’s why.
During the entire design phase there will be public consultation with the BIA, and downtown businesses and residents through public meetings and more. Council awarded the design portion of the project to IBI Group Professional Services (Canada) Inc. with the goal of having the design work completed in 2022 to be ready for tender in 2023. The actual construction timeline has not yet been set but likely within the next 2-5 years after all the public consultation and planning is completed.
The infrastructure to be replaced in Strathroy will be under Frank Street from Front to Albert Streets and also under Front Street from Thomas to Head Streets, and in Mount Brydges the streetscape aspect will include Adelaide Road from Glendon Drive to the Sunshine Bakery.
The Request for Proposal was publicly posted on Bids and Tenders and consultants were invited to submit a proposal. Three proposal submissions were received and evaluated by the Municipality’s Evaluation Team. The Evaluation Team completed a `Quality Based’ evaluation and the criteria used were:
Project Team (Experiences): 20 (%)
Company Information and Work Plan: 40 (%)
Work Schedule: 15 (%)
Cost: 25 (%)
Proposals were received from:
· BM Ross and Associates Limited
· IBI Group Professional Services (Canada) Inc.
· Driven Engineering Inc.
The Evaluation Team unanimously selected and recommended for award, IBI Group Professional Services (Canada) Inc
According to the Director, the IBI proposal included a timeline that the design aspect would be completed by the end of the year in consultation with the BIA, and businesses and residents in the downtown core.
Any project from previous years where the budget wasn’t spent, gets transferred into reserves.
The winning bid from IBI Group checked off all boxes of the proposal and even went further into details on the process they’ll be taking. The winning bid also has extensive experience with many different members all involved in projects that are directly correlated to the project. The proposal submitted from IBI was very well received and in line with our expectations.
Written by: C. Soares