Avondale Estates selects firm for downtown master plan; contract is $199,981 with 80% grant coverage

Avondale Estates’ board on March 11 approved a professional services contract to update the city’s downtown master plan and agreed to move forward with the firm recommended by the interview panel.

City staff told the board that 11 firms submitted proposals to the downtown master‑plan request for proposals, four finalists were interviewed and the panel — made up of city staff, a representative of the Downtown Enhancement Association (DEA), a planning‑board representative and a local property owner — recommended Lord Ecken Sergeant (transcript spelling variable) as the consultant to execute the plan. Staff said the proposed contract totals $199,981 and that a grant covers 80% of that amount.

Commissioners asked whether subcontractor costs were included and requested a copy of the selected firm’s full proposal; staff said each firm submitted a proposal in response to the RFP and that the board typically receives only the recommendation and contract for the selected firm. A commissioner summarized major plan emphases in the consultant’s proposal, including transportation and parking strategies, housing approaches to balance neighborhood and destination uses, and a public‑art and stakeholder engagement program that will involve residents, businesses and regional partners such as MARTA and DeKalb County.

After public comment and brief discussion the board voted to approve the contract. Staff encouraged residents to participate in forthcoming public‑involvement sessions and noted that the selected firm has prior experience working in the city.