Specifications include, but are not limited to: Task 1: Project Management, RPC Sub-Agreements, and Stakeholder Coordination Provide ongoing day-to-day management of the work, track the budget and schedule, and communicate with the project team to ensure this project proceeds in an efficient manner and concludes successfully. In addition to general project management and coordination, this task will include the following: Work with the other four RPCs – Northwest, Central Vermont, Rutland, and Addison – to define roles, responsibilities, and draft sub-agreements. Conduct an initial kickoff/orientation meeting and progress meetings as necessary with all participating entities. Procure services of consultants while ensuring that procurement requirements are followed. Task 2: Conduct Real-Estate Market Analyses for Participating Municipalities The selected Project Manager will work with the CCRPC and participating RPCs to hire consultants to conduct a real estate market analysis for each participating municipality in the five-county region. The selected Project Manager will manage the work of the consultant in coordination with the RPCs, regional development corporations, municipalities, and other stakeholders. Task 3: TOD Master Planning and Municipal Bylaw Updates The selected Project Manager will work collaboratively and provide support to each participating RPC and municipality to choose consultants from a pre-qualified list, and refine the TOD scope of work to meet the needs of each municipality. Please note that each RPC is responsible to work directly with the municipalities in their region in developing the TOD plans and related zoning bylaw updates. The RPCs and each municipality will be responsible for community engagement as part of this task with a special emphasis on underserved populations and communities that have traditionally not been included in these planning processes. Task 4: Conduct Transit Ridership Demand Analyses and Evaluate Short- and LongTerm Transit Options The selected Project Manager will oversee the selection of a consultant to develop a comprehensive transit ridership forecast for participating municipalities, considering the increased land use density and projected new ridership from the TOD areas. This work will include an assessment of the most appropriate transit services (bus or rail) to serve the TOD areas within the five-county study area in the short- and long-term, and estimation of capital and operating costs for the transit services. Task 5: Develop a Financial Plan and Transit Governance Structure The selected consultant (see Task 4) will evaluate methods to finance transit operations using value capture strategies, opportunity zone investment funds, and other finance options and assess the most efficient governance structure of a new regional transit system connecting communities across Northwest Vermont. Possible tasks could include: 1) identify financing vehicles for TOD and 2) develop an economic model to assess the revenue generated by TODs/economic activity at transit hubs to see if there would be sufficient income and/or increased property tax stream to support transit operating costs; and 3) assess the most efficient governance structure to manage the regional transit system connecting the participating communities. The selected Project Manager in collaboration with the RPCs is expected to manage the transit consultant(s) and coordinate engagement with transit providers, rail operators, state agencies, municipalities, and other stakeholders.
