Vineyard RDA delays vote on $1.5 million architectural contract for proposed Vineyard Center

The Vineyard Redevelopment Agency on Jan. 29 heard a recommendation to award Method Studio the contract for architectural and planning services for the proposed Vineyard Center, but the board voted to postpone a final decision until the next meeting so members can review updated financial analysis.

Josh, the RDA director, presented the item and described the fee proposal: “This particular expense ... was envisioned as an expense from the RDA capital projects fund. So it'll be a million dollars from the capital project fund.” He said the full contract for planning and architectural work would be “not to exceed 1,500,000.0,” and that Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG) would contribute about $500,000 because MAG plans to occupy a significant portion of the multipurpose building.

Why it matters: the Vineyard Center is planned as a downtown multipurpose civic and commercial building on Lot 10A (Block 10) of the new promenade area. Staff said the design award is the next step to produce drawings and cost estimates that will be used to refine financing plans. Board members repeatedly pushed for clearer information on total project cost and funding before committing to design work.

RDA staff described the procurement and scope. Morgan, an RDA staff member who led the review, said 15 firms responded to the RFP and the selection panel interviewed six finalists. “We did interview 6 firms, and Method Studio was fantastic,” Morgan said, adding that Method Studio’s scope would include architecture, site landscaping, parking design and interior finishes. Staff said Nelson Partners had provided a spatial needs analysis and that geotechnical borings and a final survey are next steps.

Cost and schedule: staff said the architect’s planning and design contract would not exceed $1.5 million; MAG would pay roughly $500,000 of that amount. The broader construction budget staff has been using for planning is in the $30 million to $35 million range. Staff gave a 6- to 9-month estimate to complete design documents and said construction could take about 12 to 18 months once started. RDA staff said they will ask the architect and a construction manager to identify ways to overlap design and early construction tasks where prudent to shorten the schedule.

Board concerns and direction: several board members urged caution about committing to further work without clearer financing. Board member Jake said, “I've got to see the end from the beginning,” and expressed concern that the project—at the scale discussed—would be far larger than past city spending and could necessitate long-term debt. Other board members asked staff to provide updated modeling of funding options.

Staff said the city’s financial adviser, LRB, will present financing recommendations at a Feb. 18 retreat. RDA staff said they are pursuing a financing structure that could include a sales-tax revenue bond so the payment stream would come from commercial sales tax rather than property tax, and that MAG and other tenants would lease space to help cover debt service.

Record of procurement rationale: staff told the board Method Studio’s proposal offered a lower overall projected building cost and a more cost‑conscious approach compared with other finalists. A staff member explained the comparative evaluation: Method Studio’s estimate for a build came in at about $30 million and was roughly $500,000 lower than many other proposals; staff weighed cost, team qualifications and prior municipal experience, and reported the panel concluded Method Studio best met the city’s objectives.

Board action: rather than vote on Resolution U2025-01 to award the architectural contract, Board member Marty moved to continue consideration to the next meeting; Board member Sarah seconded. The motion to continue carried. The board asked staff to provide updated financial modeling (including the materials LRB is preparing) and to include alternative site/layout proposals for review at the next meeting.

Next steps: staff will proceed with initial planning tasks with the selected firm as feasible, continue coordination with MAG and the city’s financial adviser, and present refined cost and financing options at the Feb. 18 retreat and at the next council/RDA meeting.