Duane Hicks
The town now will start the process to choose an architecture firm to design an open-air market square at the site of the former Rainy Lake Hotel.
It received six proposals as of yesterday’s 2 p.m. deadline, which were opened publicly in the committee room at the Civic Centre.
The firms and their the prices include:
•Brook McIlroy (Thunder Bay)—$54,935;
•Scatliff & Miller & Murray (Winnipeg)—$95,090;
•Weiss Architecture & Urbanism Limited (Toronto)—$52,500;
•Unit 7 Architecture (Winnipeg)—$128,760;
•Hilderman Thomas Frank Cram (HTFC) Planning & Design (Winnipeg)—$107,734; and
•Leonard Alfred Wood Architect (Thunder Bay)—$70,000.
Chief Building Official Travis Rob said the proposals now will be reviewed, and a recommendation made to the Planning and Development executive committee in time for its Jan. 18 meeting.
In turn, that committee will make a recommendation to council at its Jan. 25 meeting.
Rob explained that, unlike a tender, the choice is not necessarily based on the lowest bid but on which firm is going to do the best work for the town.
“With a tender, we’re looking for something very specific and therefore we get a very specific price,” he noted.
“With a request for proposals, we’re looking for something more general; in this case, design activities,” added Rob.
“Each firm is going to undertake different design activities in a different way and their proposal is going to outline that.
“And then, of course, the costs associated with that.
“So depending on which proposed design methodology we think fits the project best, that would determine which firm we go with,” Rob said.
The RFP stipulates the chosen firm will consult with local stakeholders, an advisory committee, and mayor and council on the project.
It specifies the architect will have to undertake more than one public consultation session—whether they’re open houses, town hall-style open meetings, or whatever means they choose—to solicit input from the general public on what their vision of the site is.
The town put out a request for proposals in late November.
