Downtown Master Plan

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
Project Title: Pickens Downtown Master Plan
Owner: City of Pickens, SC
The City of Pickens is seeking qualifications from consultants to assist with updates to create a
Downtown Master Plan. All submissions must be received no later than 2pm on May 13th, 2026. The
Request for Qualifications in its entirety can be viewed at https://cityofpickens.com/ or by contacting
Tim O'Briant, contact info shown below.
Proposals should be placed in an envelope or box clearly marked "Pickens Downtown Master Plan
Proposal" and delivered to:
Tim O' Briant, City Administrator
City of Pickens
219 Pendleton Street
Pickens, SC 29671
This project is being funded in whole or in part by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). All
federal requirements will apply to the contract. All contractors and subcontractors are required to be
registered in the federal System for Award Management (SAM). Bidders on this work will be required to
comply with the President's Executive Order No. 11246 & Order No. 11375 which prohibits
discrimination in employment regarding race, creed, color, sex, or national origin. Bidders must comply
with Title VI if the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Any questions regarding this RFQ should be directed to:
Tim O 'Briant
864.878-6421 option 4
"EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

City of Pickens Downtown Master Plan
The City of Pickens is seeking qualifications from consultants to assist in creation a downtown master
plan for downtown business types and classifications.
BACKGROUND -
A Downtown Master Plan for Pickens' downtown is vitally essential to gather community support and
provide demonstrable evidence of the City's intent to make further investments that uplifts the
economic viability of the City. The City recognizes that there are opportunities along Main Street for
reinvestment that will create a more vibrant commercial district, gathering places for citizens of the
community, and a more pedestrian and bike friendly community. Once the Plan is accepted and
implemented, the end goal will be to develop new facilities, outdoor spaces and enhanced roadways in
the commercial downtown area. Encouraging residents to stay and attract new people from other areas
has increasingly become a challenge.
* STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS:
A cover letter indicating the composition of the entire team including the Principal in
Charge, Project Manager and support team; include resumes.
Provide a list of current active projects, including the name, type of project, location,
firm's role in the project and status of the project.
List a minimum of three (3) professional references for the example projects. For each
reference list the contact's name, address, phone number and relationship to the firm.
Provide a concise, one page, statement outlining the philosophy of the team in
approaching projects of this nature and the team's grasp of issues and goals to address
in the study.
* SELECTION COMMITTEE:
The Selection committee will be comprised of City of Pickens staff from multiple
departments along with elected officials. The committee will rank each firm based on
the criteria listed below in order to select the best fitting application.
* CRITERIA FOR CONSIDERATION OF QUALIFICATIONS
Experience and knowledge in developing similar plans by consultant personnel who will
be directly involved with the project
Ability to complete the plan within the given timeframe
Ability to maintain communication on plan development
Ability to involve partners and stakeholders in the planning process
Ability of the firm to perform the proposed work
Ability to deliver a project relative to the allocated budget
References
* PROJECT SCOPE
Redevelopment opportunities for vacant downtown buildings

* SUGGESTED APPROACH:
Development of draft and final Downtown Master Plan Documents
Final presentation to City Council
* DESIRED DELIVERABLES
Executive summary
Vision statement
Implementation strategies
Cost estimates
* RFQ NARRATIVE- to include:
Address items in scope of service
Address desired deliverables
Address options for incorporating available in-kind services into project
Ability to meet established time frame
Project strategy
Company information (history, structure, etc.)
Examples of past performance and references
Proposed subcontractors, if any
SELECTION PROCESS AND TIMEFRAME: This project must follow the schedule below:
* April 2026 -RFQ issued.
* May 13, 2026 - Completed RFQ due by 2:00 p.m.
* May-June 2026 -Review RFQs, follow-up with consultants, if necessary, consultant selection and
contract negotiation
* July 2026 -Estimated project start.
* December 2026 -Project completion