FAQs
- A community-informed vision and objectives for each Square.
- The future character, design, and programming for each Square.
What is a Design Competition?
A design competition is a quality-based and solution-oriented form of procurement. A design competition allows the City to procure an optimal high-quality project. Consideration of aesthetic, technical, functional, economic, ecological, and sustainability requirements are typically encompassed in a design competition. Priority is given to a project’s qualitative merits, including cultural values and benefits to society.
Design competitions can produce designs of distinction and uphold the highest cultural and artistic values.
What will the phases of the Design Competition be?
The competition is to be comprised of two phases.
1. Phase One: Request for Prequalification (RFPQ),
In Phase One, a public RFPQ, which is open to all professional architectural firms, to submit their design team and qualifications. Both local and international design teams are welcome to participate in this competition.
The top five architectural firms selected during the RFPQ Phase will advance to Phase Two.
2. Phase Two: Request For Proposal (RFP), (Design Competition to select an architectural firm):
In Phase Two, the short-listed architectural firms will be invited to submit conceptual designs for the two squares.
A team will then evaluate each design and select a successful firm to be commissioned to provide the complete design services & contract administration services for the redesign of Ken Whillans and Garden Squares.
How will the City engage residents and stakeholders?
The opportunities for the community to get involved in the squares design process are:
1. Community Engagement Part 1: Towards a Vision
As part of Part 1, community members will be invited to engage in a conversation about the redevelopment of the two squares.
The stakeholders and community feedback will help to inform:
City staff will compile a Community Engagement & Visioning report, which will include the collection and summary of community feedback. The report will be then posted on the project’s webpage and shared with all the short-listed architectural firms.
2. Community Engagement Part 2: Exploring Design Concepts
Community members will provide input on the design concepts developed in Phase 2 of the competition process. This input will be summarized as serve as input for the Jury group’s evaluation.
Will construction on both squares happen at the same time?
Construction is planned to occur in stages to minimize the impacts on the downtown area and programming.
The details of the construction site/square phasing will be determined during the detailed design stage, based on square/site conditions, design specifications, permits and approvals, and adjacent downtown construction activities.
Staff will coordinate with the design consultant and ensure that the project schedule is expedited to the greatest extent possible.