Master Plan Update

CITY OF YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN
Department of Community Services
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Master Plan Update
RFP Title Master Plan Update
Issuing Department Department of Community Services
Contact Joe Meyers, Director of Community Services
JMeyers@cityofypsilanti.com | 734.482.9882
Issue Date June 18, 2026
Questions Deadline June 30, 2026
Proposal Due Date July 17, 2026, 12:00 PM (Noon) ET
Pre-Proposal Meeting None
Submission Method Electronic: dagha@cityofypsilanti.com OR Sealed delivery: City of
Ypsilanti, One South Huron Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Section I. Request for Proposals
Scope of Proposed Work
The City of Ypsilanti is seeking qualified planning consultants to assist in a comprehensive update
of the City's Master Plan. The selected consultant will work closely with City staff, elected and
appointed officials, community partners, and residents to produce a forward-looking, equity-
centered, and actionable plan that guides land use, development, infrastructure, mobility, housing,
sustainability, and community investment decisions over the next 20 years. The updated Master
Plan should reflect Ypsilanti's unique character, values, and aspirations; address current and
emerging challenges; and align with regional planning efforts. See the full Scope of Work in
Section II for detailed task requirements and deliverables.
Consultant Qualifications
Proposals should demonstrate the following qualifications:
* Demonstrated experience preparing municipal master plans, preferably for communities of
comparable size and complexity.
* Expertise in community engagement, including creative and equitable outreach methods.
* Strong graphic design, mapping, and data analysis capabilities.
* Experience integrating sustainability, equity, and economic development into planning
documents.
* Ability to work collaboratively with municipal staff, boards, commissions, and community
partners.
Proposal Submission Requirements
To be considered responsive, each proposal shall include:

* A statement of qualifications and relevant project experience, with examples of
comparable master plans.
* Identification of key personnel who will be assigned to the project, including roles and
relevant experience.
* A proposed approach and methodology for completing the Scope of Work in Section II.
* A proposed project schedule with major milestones.
* At least three (3) references from comparable municipal clients.
* A completed Cost Proposal Form (Section III), itemized as Professional Services /
Consultant Fees and Reimbursable Expenses, with a not-to-exceed total.
Project Schedule and Completion Period
The project is anticipated to commence in August 2026, following consultant selection, and to
proceed through final plan preparation and adoption in accordance with the phased schedule set
out in Section II, Project Timeline and Phasing. The full process is expected to span approximately
16 months, with final plan preparation and adoption following the community engagement on the
draft plan.
Proposal Format and Expectations
To allow for a fair and consistent review, each proposal should meet the following format and
content expectations:
* Proposals should be submitted as a single PDF document and should not exceed twenty-
five (25) pages, excluding the cover letter, required forms, and personnel resumes.
* Proposals should be organized in the order of the submission requirements listed above
so that reviewers can readily locate each required item.
* All cost information should be provided only on the Cost Proposal Form in Section III and
should not appear in the narrative portions of the proposal.
* The proposed approach should clearly distinguish work to be performed by the consultant
from work that City staff will lead, consistent with the phasing in Section II.
* Proposals should identify any work the proposer intends to subcontract, along with the
names and qualifications of proposed subconsultants.
* The proposer should confirm its ability to meet the project schedule and identify any
current commitments that could affect the availability of assigned personnel.
* Proposals should be complete and responsive at the time of submission. The City is under
no obligation to request missing or clarifying information.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals determined to be responsive will be evaluated and scored by a review committee using
the criteria and relative weights below. The City may, at its discretion, request interviews or
presentations from one or more shortlisted firms before making a final selection.
Evaluation Criteria Weight
Qualifications and relevant experience with comparable master plans 25 points
Proposed approach and methodology for the Scope of Work 25 points
Community engagement strategy and demonstrated equity practices 20 points

Evaluation Criteria Weight
Qualifications of assigned key personnel 10 points
Cost proposal and overall value to the City 15 points
References from comparable municipal clients 5 points
Total 100 points
Selection and Rejection of Proposals
The City of Ypsilanti reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals or parts of
proposals; to waive any and all irregularities, informalities, or inconsistencies; to negotiate
contract terms with the successful applicant(s); and to disregard all non-conforming, non-
responsive, or conditional proposals. The City of Ypsilanti will accept the proposal(s) or parts of
any proposal(s) that it determines, in its sole discretion, to be in the best interest of the City of
Ypsilanti. Such acceptance will be based on level of experience, qualifications, costs, and other
factors. Price shall not be the sole determining factor.
Location of Applicant
In their proposals, applicants should identify the location of their headquarters or the physical
location of the owner, any use of locally produced products, what percentage of employees are
local, and describe any planned efforts to employ local persons for the purposes of the completion
of the work. Pursuant to Chapter 2, Article VI of the Code of Ordinances for the City of Ypsilanti,
in comparing proposals that are substantially similar, local proposals will be given preference.

Section II. Scope of Work
1. Project Overview
The City of Ypsilanti is seeking qualified planning consultants to assist in a comprehensive update
of the City's Master Plan. The selected consultant will work closely with City staff, elected and
appointed officials, community partners, and residents to produce a forward-looking, equity-
centered, and actionable plan that guides land use, development, infrastructure, mobility, housing,
sustainability, and community investment decisions over the next 20 years.
The updated Master Plan should reflect Ypsilanti's unique character, values, and aspirations;
address current and emerging challenges; and align with regional planning efforts.
2. Objectives
The consultant team will be expected to:
* Develop a clear, data-driven understanding of existing conditions, trends, and future
scenarios.
* Facilitate, with staff, an inclusive, accessible, and creative community engagement
process.
* Produce a Master Plan that is implementable, measurable, and aligned with state planning
requirements.
* Integrate existing and future community values throughout the plan.
* Work closely with and provide professional guidance to City staff, boards, and
commissions throughout the planning process.
3. Tasks
A. Existing Conditions and Data Analysis
* Review and analyze demographic, economic, housing, land use, transportation,
environmental, and infrastructure data.
* Evaluate existing City plans, zoning ordinances, and relevant regional or state plans.
* Identify key trends, opportunities, and challenges.
B. Community Engagement
* Develop and implement a robust engagement strategy, with City staff, tailored to Ypsilanti
and its neighborhoods.
* Utilize a mix of engagement tools such as workshops, open houses, surveys, pop-up
events, and digital platforms.
* Ensure engagement methods are accessible and inclusive of historically underrepresented
people.
* Document engagement outcomes and integrate them into plan recommendations.
C. Vision, Goals, and Policy Framework
* Provide policy recommendations across key topic areas, which may include:
Land use and zoning
Housing affordability and diversity
Identifying infill projects
Transportation and mobility
Economic development

Parks, recreation, and open space
Sustainability and climate resilience
Historic preservation
Public health and safety
Arts, culture, and placemaking
D. Future Land Use Plan and Mapping
* Prepare updated future land use maps, character areas, and related graphics.
* Recommend zoning updates or regulatory strategies to support the plan's vision.
* Provide GIS-based deliverables compatible with City systems.
E. Implementation Strategy
* Develop a prioritized implementation plan with timelines, responsible parties, cost
considerations, and measurable indicators.
* Identify potential funding sources and partnerships.
* Provide tools for monitoring progress and updating the plan over time.
F. Final Plan Preparation
* Produce a visually compelling, user-friendly Master Plan document.
* Provide digital and print-ready formats, including maps, graphics, and appendices.
* Present the final plan with City staff to the City Council and Planning Commission.
4. Deliverables
At a minimum, the consultant shall provide: an existing conditions and data analysis report; a
documented community engagement summary; a complete draft Master Plan for staff and public
review; final future land use mapping and GIS files compatible with City systems; a prioritized
implementation strategy; and a final adopted-ready Master Plan in both digital and print-ready
formats, along with presentation materials for the City Council and Planning Commission.
5. Project Timeline and Phasing
The Master Plan update is organized into five phases. Phases may overlap where noted. City
staff will assist in community engagement and stakeholder coordination, with the consultant
providing the professional work products identified in each phase.
Step Timeline Task
1 5 months Initial citywide engagement.
August 2026 to January Video series will occur during this time.
2027 Survey will be online.
Neighborhood listening sessions.
Pop-up tents at events or shops.
Existing Conditions and Data Analysis
2 3 months Stakeholder groups.
May occur concurrently with Have commissions review the plan and answer a guided
community engagement questionnaire provided by staff.
3 5 months Review initial feedback from community and stakeholders.
January 2027 to May 2027

Step Timeline Task
Prepare draft report (the phase where the most consultant
support is needed).
Future Land Use Plan and Mapping.
Implementation Strategy.
4 3 months Community engagement, sharing the draft plan and getting
May 2027 to July 2027 feedback.
5 4 months Final plan preparation and adoption.
August 2027 to November
2027

Section III. Cost Proposal Form
The proposer shall complete the tables below with to be part of the RFP. All amounts shall be
entered as not-to-exceed figures and shall include all labor, overhead, materials, travel, and other
costs necessary to complete the Scope of Work in Section II. The Grand Total Not-to-Exceed
amount entered in the certification block shall constitute the maximum compensation payable
under any resulting contract. Where a task is to be led by City staff at no cost to the consultant
contract, the proposer may enter zero and add a brief note.
A. Cost by Scope of Work Task
Scope of Work Task Professional Reimbursable Task Not-to-
Services / Fees Expenses ($) Exceed Subtotal
($) ($)
A. Existing Conditions and Data Analysis
B. Community Engagement
C. Vision, Goals, and Policy Framework
D. Future Land Use Plan and Mapping
E. Implementation Strategy
F. Final Plan Preparation
Total (Not-to-Exceed)
B. Key Personnel Hourly Rate Schedule
List the key personnel proposed for this project and their billing rates. This schedule will be used
to price any additional services requested by the City beyond the Scope of Work in Section II.
Name Role / Title Hourly Rate ($) Estimated Hours
C. Reimbursable Expenses Detail
Itemize the reimbursable expenses included in the Task table above. The total shown here should
equal the total of the Reimbursable Expenses column in Table A.

Expense Category Estimated Amount ($)
Travel and mileage
Printing and reproduction
Materials and supplies
Other (specify)
Total Reimbursable Expenses
D. Certification
Grand Total Not-to-Exceed Cost Proposal: $ ______________________________
The undersigned certifies that the amounts stated above are firm, represent a not-to-exceed price
for the complete Scope of Work in Section II, and that the undersigned is authorized to bind the
firm to this proposal.
Firm Name: ___________________________________________________________
Authorized Signature: _________________________________________________
Printed Name and Title: _______________________________________________
Date: ________________________________________________________________
Prepared by City of Ypsilanti, Department of Community Services, June 2026