RFQ Regional Entertainment District Master Plan

Location:	Texas
Posted:	Jun 29, 2026
Due:	Jul 6, 2026
Agency:	City of Pasadena
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	C - Architect and Engineering Services - Construction R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
Solicitation No:	26-019
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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PASADENA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Pasadena, Texas

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) 26-019

Regional Entertainment District Master Plan

Issue Date: June 17, 2026

Responses Due: July 6, 2026, 4:00 p.m. Central

1. Introduction and Intent

The Pasadena Economic Development Corporation (PEDC), a Texas Type B Economic Development

Corporation, is soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from qualified and experienced planning,

urban design, landscape architecture, economic development, and multidisciplinary consulting firms to

prepare a comprehensive Master Plan for a proposed Entertainment District located within approximately

200+ acres in Pasadena, Texas, of which approximately 163.5 acres are available for future development.

The planning area also includes a regional detention facility of approximately 25.5 acres that should be

evaluated as a potential amenity and placemaking asset within the district. (See Exhibit A)

PEDC seeks a visionary yet implementable plan that establishes a destination-oriented entertainment

district capable of attracting visitors and residents alike while supporting private investment, enhancing

quality of life, and creating a unique sense of place for Pasadena residents and visitors.

The selected consultant team will be expected to complete the Master Plan within eight (8) months of

contract execution.

2. Project Background and Context

Since 2013, multiple development strategies have been presented for the underutilized land surrounding

the Pasadena Convention Center. In recent years, changing market conditions, public investments and

development in the surrounding area have created new opportunities and urgency for a unified, updated

planning framework.

The Entertainment District, approximately 163.5 acres in size, is envisioned as a vibrant area that

connects not just the nearby neighborhoods, but also the adjacent Cities of La Porte and Deer Park. The

district includes existing city-owned buildings that are utilized by two organizations, vacant and

underutilized parcels as well as a rodeo arena, all of which should be considered in an integrated manner.

(See Exhibit B)

The PEDC now seeks a consultant team to:

• Review and synthesize the historical redevelopment plans relevant to the Entertainment District

area.

• Align prior and current visions, missions, land use concepts, and implementation priorities into a

single, updated framework for the district.

• Prepare an updated, actionable Master Plan to guide near, mid, and long-term redevelopment of

the Entertainment District as a mixed-use district with a strong emphasis on context-appropriate

infill development.

3. Project Objectives

The Master Plan shall establish a long-term vision and implementation strategy for a regional

entertainment district that:

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• Creates a destination capable of attracting local and regional visitors.

• Encourages private investment and mixed-use development opportunities.

• Enhances quality of life for Pasadena residents.

• Establishes a unique identity and sense of place.

• Creates walkable and connected development patterns.

• Integrates public spaces and community gathering areas.

• Maximizes economic development opportunities and tax base growth.

• Supports future public-private partnerships.

• Identifies catalytic projects and phased implementation strategies.

4. Scope of Services

The selected consultant shall provide all professional services necessary to prepare a comprehensive

Entertainment District Master Plan including, but not limited to, the following:

4.1 Existing Conditions Assessment

• Review existing plans, studies, development regulations, and available market data.

• Analyze site opportunities and constraints

• Evaluate accessibility, transportation connections, utilities, drainage infrastructure, and

surrounding land uses.

• Assess regional demographics, market conditions, visitor trends, and entertainment

industry opportunities

4.2 Market and Economic Development Analysis

• Identify market-supported entertainment, recreation, hospitality, retail, dining, and mixed-

use opportunities.

• Evaluate potential destination uses and attractions.

• Assess economic impacts and development potential.

• Identify opportunities for public-private partnerships and private sector investment.

4.3 Comparable Case Study Analysis

The consultant shall identify and analyze a minimum of three (3) successful entertainment

districts, mixed-use destination developments, or public-private entertainment corridors that

are comparable in scale, market position, and development objectives.

The analysis shall include:

Development program and land use mix

Public and private investment levels

Funding mechanisms and financing tools utilized

Public infrastructure investments

Governance and management structure

Tenant mix and anchor attractions

Public realm and placemaking components

Economic impact and visitation outcomes

Lessons learned and best practices

Applicability and recommendations for implementation in Pasadena

The consultant shall present findings and recommendations regarding how comparable

developments may inform the planning, recruitment, branding, phasing, and implementation

of the proposed Pasadena Entertainment District.

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4.4 Visioning and Concept Development

Develop a cohesive district vision that incorporates:

• Branding themes and district identity

• Entertainment venues and attractions

• Retail, restaurant, and hospitality opportunities

• Event spaces and programming opportunities

• Mixed-use development opportunities

• Public gathering spaces and community-oriented amenities

• Public art opportunities

• Year-round activation opportunities

• Quality-of-life enhancements

4.5 Public Realm and Placemaking Strategy

The Master Plan shall include recommendations for:

• Wayfinding systems and district branding

• Pedestrian connectivity and bicycle infrastructure

• Greenspace and open space networks

• Shared public spaces and common areas

• Streetscape concepts

• Lighting and beautification strategies

• Public art integration

• Activation strategies and programming opportunities

4.6 Detention Pond Amenity Evaluation

The consultant shall evaluate opportunities to transform the detention pond located within the

property into a community asset and district amenity, including:

• Trail systems

• Nature-based recreation

• Gathering spaces

• Fitness and wellness amenities

• Water-feature enhancements where feasible

• Connectivity to surrounding development

• Recommendations should prioritize public accessibility, placemaking value, maintenance

considerations, and implementation feasibility

4.7 Land Use and Development Framework

The consultant shall prepare:

• Conceptual land use plan

• Site development framework

• Public realm framework

• Connectivity plan

• Parking and access strategy

• Phasing strategy

4.8 Development Recruitment and Tenant Strategy

The strategy shall:

• Identify target industries, operators, and development types most likely to succeed within

the proposed district

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• Evaluate regional market demand and competitive positioning relative to other

entertainment destinations throughout the Houston metropolitan area and Gulf Coast

region

• Recommend priority recruitment targets including, but not limited to:

Family entertainment centers

Sports and recreation venues

Restaurants and destination dining

Arts and cultural attractions

Entertainment and amusement use

Identify catalytic anchor uses capable of generating sustained visitation and

private investment

Recommend development parcels and preferred locations for targeted uses

Identify potential public-private partnership opportunities

Provide a phased recruitment strategy for attracting private investment

Recommend branding and positioning strategies that differentiate the district

within the regional marketplace

4.9 Implementation Strategy

Prepare a practical implementation plan that includes:

• Priority projects

• Phasing recommendations

• Preliminary order-of-magnitude cost estimates

• Public-private partnership opportunities

• Potential grant opportunities

• Regulatory considerations

• Development and investment attraction strategies

5. Stakeholder Engagement

The selected consultant shall facilitate a stakeholder engagement process that includes a minimum

of:

5.1 Stakeholder Meeting No. 1 – Visioning Workshop

• Project introduction

• Existing conditions review

• Opportunities and challenges identification

5.2 Stakeholder Meeting No. 2 – Draft Master Plan Review

• Presentation of draft concepts

• Stakeholder feedback

• Refinement recommendations

5.2 Stakeholder Meeting No. 3 – Final Plan Presentation

• Presentation of final recommendations

• Implementation priorities

• Adoption discussion

Consultants may propose additional engagement activities as part of their approach.

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6. Deliverables

At minimum, the consultant will provide:

Technical Deliverables

• Project Management Plan and Engagement Plan

• Existing Conditions and Opportunities Report with maps, graphics, and summaries

• Market and Economic Development Analysis

• Comparable District Analysis

• Concept Alternatives

Planning Deliverables

• Draft Master Plan, including land use and development framework, conceptual plans,

renderings/visualizations, and implementation strategy

• Public Realm and Placemaking Strategy

• Detention Pond Amenity Concept Plan

• Land Use and Development Framework

• Development Opportunity Map

Economic Development Deliverables

• Entertainment District Recruitment Strategy

• Target Industry and Tenant Matrix

• Anchor Attraction Recommendations

• Wayfinding and Branding Framework

Final Adoption Deliverables

• Final Master Plan document, print-ready and web-optimized

• Executive Summary

• Presentation materials for PEDC Board review and adoption

• GIS-compatible data and editable files (e.g., shapefiles or geodatabases) for key plan maps

• High-resolution renderings

7. Anticipated Project Schedule

PEDC anticipates the following schedule (subject to change):

• RFQ issued: June 17, 2026

• Questions deadline: June 26, 2026

• SOQs due: By 4:00 p.m. CST on July 6, 2026

• Shortlist & Interviews (if necessary): July 15, 2026

• Consultant selection and notice of intent to award: July 17, 2026

• Contract Execution: Week of July 27, 2026

• Project kickoff: August 3, 2026

• Target completion of Final Master Plan: By April 30, 2027

*The Master Plan shall be completed within eight (8) months following contract execution.

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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Bid Number	Bid Name	Release Date	Due Date
26-019 Addendum 1	RFQ Regional Entertainment District Master Plan	06//17/2026	07/06/2026

RFQ Regional Entertainment District Master Plan

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See also