Advisory committee backs owners-representative contract for Heights Streetscape

The Hood River Urban Renewal Advisory Committee on Nov. 20 endorsed a recommendation to hire Shields, Oblitz & Johnson as the owner’s representative for the Heights Streetscape implementation, with Dan Houghton named as the designated owner’s representative and consulting support noted from Alice Cannon. The committee supported the contract by voice vote.

Will, an Urban Renewal Agency staff member, told the committee the larger Heights streetscape program will be substantial: “the entire project, my streetscape plan is gonna be over $70,000,000,” and the owner’s representative role is intended to provide coordination across engineering, construction oversight and grant-seeking as the work proceeds on a phased basis. He said the contract before the committee is a not-to-exceed $350,000 over three years, with the work billed on a time-and-materials basis and two one-year renewal options.

Presenters from the recommended team described their focus on project management and phased implementation. Gay Naughton introduced herself during the discussion; a partner from Cannon Planning Services (transcript name rendered as Alex/Alice Cannon) said the team is excited to work on a project in the Gorge and to support local coordination.

Committee members asked about near-term milestones and how much would be completed in the three-year contract term. Will said the agency has line of sight to the first three projects — the Taylor Avenue connection, enhanced crosswalks on Taylor, and sidewalk and median improvements along 13th — and emphasized that the larger roundabout remains the principal funding challenge, noting an estimated $16,000,000 cost for that element. Will also described oversight and invoice review processes, saying the owner’s representative will attend biweekly project meetings with the design team and that he (staff) will review and approve monthly invoices.

Committee member (speaker 4) moved that the Urban Renewal Advisory Committee support awarding the contract to Shields, Oblitz & Johnson; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote (members responded “aye”; one member, Clint, confirmed “aye” by phone). The contract will allow the city to bring experienced project management onboard as streetscape planning moves from design toward construction.

Next steps: staff will finalize the city-board recommendation and the contract documentation for formal action by the agency or council as required.