South Pasadena staff recommend Kimley‑Horn design contract for Fremont‑Huntington corridor

City of South Pasadena Public Works staff told the Public Works Infrastructure Commission on Oct. 8 that they have recommended awarding the design contract for the Fremont‑Huntington Corridor Improvement Project to Kimley‑Horn and Associates for an amount not to exceed $2,400,000.

The recommendation follows a request for proposals advertised July 9, six proposals received by the Aug. 27 deadline and interviews and ratings in September. "We recommended council award the design contract to Kimley Horn and Associates for for an amount not to exceed $2,400,000," staff said during the presentation.

Commissioners asked about the scope of work the consultant will evaluate and the public‑engagement schedule. Staff said the contract includes producing conceptual designs and a design report; Kimley‑Horn will evaluate ideas from the project tool/design report, identify feasible options and estimate approximate costs. Staff said the project team will prepare conceptual plans, post project information online and hold town‑hall meetings once 30% concept designs are ready.

Staff emphasized a compressed schedule because some project funding will lapse in June 2028. "It's important that we move ... strategically and make good use of our time over the next approximate year while we're in design," staff said.

The commission received the update; no formal action on the contract award was taken at the meeting. Staff said the next steps are a project kickoff, production of conceptual plans and public outreach.

Costs, schedules and specific design options will be refined during the design phase and brought back to the commission and community for review and comment.