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CR 97-211 Remodeling Planbook ProjectG <` y y November 12, 1997 ~ P K ` ~ Council Rpt #97-211 PARTICIPATION IN REMODELING PLANBOOK PROJECT Proposed Action Staff recommends approval of the following motion : Authorize participation in the Remodeling Planbook proiect. With this motion, staffwill indicate the City's desire to participate in the project and begin mazketing efforts. Overview Several months ago fifteen suburban cities began discussions regazding the development of a planbook for remodeling older, inner-ring suburban homes. The intent of developing and offering for sale the planbook is to: o develop a variety of remodeling design plans for typical inner-ring homes which will offer owners options for addressing current problems and meeting changing needs o identify incentives and financial resources available to assist the homeowner o serve as a marketing tool to promote the advantages of living within the inner-ring o to inspire homeowners to remodel their homes and stay in our cities The cost of developing the planbook is estimated to be $60,000, which will be divided equally between the participating cities. The approximate cost per city is $5,000. There will be an additional printing cost which will be the sale price of the planbook. The book will be marketed and made available through area Realtors, remodeling contractors and lumber yards, as well as by the participating cities. Primary Issues to Consider o What aze the benefits of participating in this project? o How will the City pay for the cost of the planbook development? Sunoortin¢ Documents o Request for Qualifica~,s-for Remodeling Planbook Coordinator Planbook Council Rpt. 97-211 Page 2 Ana~sis of the Issues o What are the benefits of participating in this project? There are several benefits of participating in the remodeling planbook project including the following: o encouraging remodeling projects that preserve the architectural chazacter of the house and are compatible with the neighborhood o encouraging existing homeowners to remain in Hopkins rather than moving to the outer-ring by providing them with examples of how their current home can be remodeled to meet their needs o proactively addressing future demographic trends of decreasing numbers of first-time homebuyers by diversifying the housing stock through significant remodeling of "starter homes" o encouraging homeowners and homebuyers to take advantage of the recent trend of "purchase plus rehab" loans available through private lenders o acts as a public relations tool that positively depicts the City's older housing stock and the advantages of living in the inner-ring suburbs 0 opportunity to work collectively with other cities to address a common issue. o How will the City pay for the cost of the planbook development? It is recommended that the City's portion of the cost of the project will be paid for out of the 213 account which is the housing rehabilitation fund established and maintained through repayments of housing improvement loans and grants. Alternatives The City Council has the following alternatives regarding this issue: o Elect to participate in the remodeling planbook project. o Decide not to participate in the project. o Continue this item for more information. NOV-04-97 TUE 15:57 CITY SLP 2ND FLR FRX N0. 6129242663 P.. 02 CITIES OF BLOOMINGTON, BROOKLYN PARK, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, COON 12APYDS CRYSTAL, FRIDLEY, GOLDEN VALLEY, 1VTOY7NDS VIEW, NEW BRIGHTON, NEW HOPE, RICHFIKLD, ROBBINSDALE, 120SEVII.LE, ST. LOUIS PARK, WHITE BEAR LAKE REQi3EST FOR QY3ALIFICATIONS FOR A .REMODELING PLANBOOK FOR POST WWII HOUSES I. Introduction The above communities are interested in retaining a consultant to assist in the preparation of a Planbook which will provide feasible and creative ideas for upgrading their Post WWII housing; stock. lI. Background A substantial portion of the current housing stock within the region was built in the inner ring suburbs during the two decades following World War Iz. Much of this housing Was built using "production line" methods--the same few styles and floor plans repeating themselves thousands of times over the landscape. Although some ofthis housing has been modified to meet the needs of changing demographics and lifestyles, most of the housing bas not. Today this housing is marketed primarily to first time home buyers whose stay is shortened by a tack of adequate space and other housing amenities which are available at;the growing edges of the region. Many inner ring eit5es which were booming with growth in the 1950's now struggle witks sin aging housing stock ("Housing over 30'~ and a'n increasingly transient population who move to outer ring suburbs because their hpusing needs cannot be met in the inner rings. Inner ring communities offer advantages to residents as well, Qften these communities are more compact, are easily served b~ transit, have the potential to meet the needs of people as they seek community in their lives. NOV-04.-97 TUE 15 57 CITY SLP 2ND FLR FAX N0. 6129242663 P, 03 There are manly reasons to address the aging housing stock of the first ring: • Community Stabiliry_ Often when a community's housing stock is perceived inadequate, housing is marketed to first time home buyers who leave the community as soon as their income or family size increase. If "move-up" housing is not available within the community, families leave,to meet their housing needs in other suburbs, often the outer ring. This puts an increased demand on housing on the fringe thus encouraging sprawl. • Future Trepds. According to demographic trends, the number of fast time home buyers will be decreasing in the future. This will encourage a trend toward rental as homeowners cannot find buyers when they choose to move on. • Excessive concentrations of unpopulaz housing stock has the potential to concentrate low income people into "ghetto-like" azeas. Communities are more successful when a range of housing is available. • Life-cycle housing. Many residents desire to remain iu their communities, but Cannot find adequate housing to meet changing needs. Diversified housing is desirable because people are able to stay within their neighborhoods and communities through all periods of their lives, lending stability and vitality to communities. • Remaining Competitive. Inner-ring communities compete with outer-ring suburbs for households: Because there is a shortage of vacant developable land within the inner- ring communities, remodeling and rehabilitation becomes an important way to encourage reinvestment, diversify and improve the housing and to maximize property and neighborhood values. All communities within a region must stay competitive if a regivn is to remain suong and competitive within the world markets. The inner ring $uburbs identified above arc choosing to collaborate and have formed a consortium to address the problems and potential opportunities associated with the aging post WWII housing stock- The consortium, by providing and identifying technical, educational, and financial services, hopes to provide an incentive for homeowners to move into or to remain in the inner-ring cifies, rather than building or moving out to the developing suburbs. One of the technical tools the consortium wishes to provide is a Planbook which offers creative and reasonable solutions for upgrading and overcoming the shortcomings of the post W WII housing stock. The consortium recognizes that the greatest potential for improving housing stock remains with individual homeowners' private reinvostaunts. The purpose of the Planbook is to provide ideas, inspiration, tools, encouragement; and support to these homeowners. The Planbook is also intended to serve as a market tool to promote the advantages of living within the inner-ring cities and to inspire homeowners to remodel their homes and stay. NOV-04-97 TUE 15:58 CITY SLP 2ND FLR FAX N0, 6129242663 P, 04 _ III. Anticipated planbook Development Services I'he specific services which would be asked of the selected firm could include, but not be limited to, the :following: • Planbvok features: , • Identify and explain the structure and architectural features of the chosen housing styles itleluding floor layouts and functional considerations. This would include an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, problems, and history of the chosen post- war era housins styles. Identify and explain the changing housing trends, how these respond to market and lifestyle changes and why this is relevant to this post-war era housing. • Develop a variety of design alternatives or schemes for each housing type which will offer to residents options for addressing current problems and meeting their changing needs. These schemes should meet the following objectives: 1. Preserve oz enhance the architectural character of the house. 2. Be compatible with the block and neighborhood in which the house is located. 3. Be flexible enough to adapt to various individual needs and preferences including the needs of families and the elderly. 4. Offer the ability to phase remodeling over time. 5. Offer information about how tv remove functionally obsolete feanus and replace these with more contemporary ones. 6. Provide a realistic range of financial and functional aIternativcs and the cost implications for each. • Include; graphic images, photographs, plans to make the book understandable to homeowners. • Planbook layout should be adaptable to various other media forms, such cable TV or the Internet. • Incorporate incentives and resources which have been identified by various participating communities which are available to help the homeowner including "This Old House". • Provide written guidelines which would enhance the appearance of housing, including landscaping, fencing, accessory buildings. • Identify anel include advantages of Living within participating inner-ring cities. IV. Optional Additional Services Work with various cities to evaluate and make suggestions for streamlining local caning controls which inhibit remodeling additionsfexpansions Prepaze brochures and other marketing pieces which can be used in media presentations. Identify marketing and implementafion strategies. NOV-04-97 TUE 15 58 CITY SLP 2ND FLR FRX N0. 6129242663 V. Desires Qualifications The consortiurst of inner zing suburbs desires to retain a Earn or partnership which has proven experience and tested ability in the following areas: P. 05 • Ability to produce a Planbook. • Ability to identify and document in graphics and written form the features of post- '~VWII era housing. • Ability to create a variety of remodeling options for post W W1I era housing which is sensitive to the azchitectural style of the house and surrounding neighborhood. • Ability to communicate graphically and in writing to an unsophisticated audience. • Ability to develop and maintain a good rapport with a variety of city staff from various cities. • Ability to organize ideas and communicate these efficiently. • Experience; with completing schedules oa time. • Competitive Fees • Understanding of marketing techniques which promote the finished book to its desired audience. VI. Submission of Information Each qualified>Fum is requested to submit ten copies of its response to this Request for Qualifications.! The response should provide sufficient detail to allow the consortium to assess the consultant's experience, ability, and cost effectiveness is carrying out the services requested. The consultant's proposal should be submitted to: Judie Erickson, Community Development Depattmeat City of St. Louis Park 5005 Minnetonka Boulevard St. Louis Park, MN. 55416, Phone 924-2574 Responses must be submitted not Iater than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 30,1997_ VII. Selection of Firm Dascd upon the submissions made, the consortium will evaluate the responses received. Up to three eantiidate firms may then be selected for further interviews or discussions. The consortium may then either prepare a formal Request For Proposals (RFP) for those selected tams to respond to, or it maybe in a position to negotiate a specific scope of wozk with a single selected firm.