On January 25, 2017 staff released a Request for Proposal for interested firms to submit for consideration to provide planning services and assisting the CRA and city staff in updating the New Port Richey Community Redevelopment Plan. In response to that RFP, eight (8) firms submitted and are listed below:

• Tindale Oliver – Tampa, FL

• GAI Consultants – Orlando, FL

• Kimley-Horn – Tampa, FL

• Urban Planning – Ft. Lauderdale, FL

• PMG Associates – Deerfield Beach, FL

• S&ME, Inc. – Orlando, FL

• Redevelopment Management Associates – Pompano Beach, FL

• Strategic Development Initiatives – Hobe Sound, FL

A panel of staff members involved in the plan update reviewed each proposal. After considering each submission staff scored the individual firms based upon the ranking matrix provided in the RFP. The top three firms were contacted and subsequently interviewed. The selected top-ranked firms are as follows: 

• Strategic Development Initiative
• Kimley-Horn
• SM&E.

On March 17, oral presentations were conducted. Staff discussed each of the three submittals and presentations. And after several days of consideration, staff met and selected Kimley-Horn as the most-qualified firm to fullfill the needs of New Port Richey residents.

Listed are reasons why staff considers Kimley-Horn as the best firm for New Port Richey's CRA plan update:

• Breadth of experience Kimley-Horn brings to New Port Richey in preparing and implementing redevelopment plans.

• An understanding of the unique challenges New Port Richey faces in the continued redevelopment of the City’s diverse redevelopment areas.

• Experience with redevelopment and implementation strategies of municipalities with city-wide CRA boundaries.

• A realistic view of the economic concerns New Port Richey is confronted with, including both an immediate need for action, as well as a stable, long-term approach to sustainable redevelopment.

• Their long-standing, successful track record of providing professional services, on-time and within budgetary constraints.

• The use of an Economist as part of its data-driven analysis.

• Their enthusiasm demonstrated in oral presentations and overall excitement about working with City stakeholders in assisting in the redevelopment.