Tulane city center RFP 2015

request for proposals

If you are a non-profit or community-based organization in the New Orleans area and you have a design or planning project you are hoping to get started, the Tulane City Center (TCC) wants to hear from you. The TCC will select two different local organizations and provide them with free design and planning services.

Need Design Services?

To qualify for the program you must:> Be based in the New Orleans area> Be a non-profit organization (or operate under the sponsorship of another non-profit)> Have a specific design or planning project for which you are requesting pro-bono services

If you meet these basic requirements and would like more information about how to apply for this opportunity,please call: 504.314.2330 visit www.tulanecitycenter.org or email: [email protected]

Request for Proposals – Tulane City Center Community Design & Planning Program

The Tulane City Center (TCC) is inviting proposals from New Orleans based non-profit and

community-based organizations for pro-bono design and planning services. Proposals must be for

a specific project (i.e. not for ongoing design services for the organization), and the project must

address a stated need that exists in the New Orleans area. We have enjoyed good relationships with

many local organizations in the ten years our program has existed, and we look forward to new

opportunities to pursue excellence in design and planning for all residents of New Orleans.

Who we areThe Tulane City Center houses the Tulane School of Architecture’s applied urban research and

outreach programs. We work with community groups throughout New Orleans to address difficult

problems with good design. TCC offers opportunities for faculty and students to provide technical

assistance in design development, planning, and construction for community based organizations

in New Orleans. In all of our work, our goal is to bring these services into communities traditionally

underserved by the design and planning professions. We aim to maximize community involvement

and leadership in efforts to rebuild and improve our region.

Thanks to a gift from Johnson Controls, Inc., this RFP is offered in its sixth year, focusing on design

visioning and design/build projects. Please see our website (www.tulanecitycenter.org) for specific

examples of previous projects completed, or see the last pages of this document for descriptions of

prior years’ selected proposals.

Do you qualify for the program?If you are a New Orleans based non-profit organization (or operate under the fiscal sponsorship of

a non profit organization), and you have a specific project for which you need design and planning

services, then you qualify for this program. The TCC has a track record of working with large and

established non-profit organizations and small and less formal community organizations and we

welcome proposals from groups at either end of the scale.

Description of services provided to successful applicantsIn working with numerous non-profit organizations, we see our community partners consistently

thinking big to address big challenges. We also understand the significant budget limitations that

most – if not all – non-profits face daily. Often a great idea benefits from professional services that

can help to define the project and attract funding & support needed to execute a built project.

This program exists to fill that gap and ensure each group is well prepared to make the next critical

steps toward realizing their visions.

Richardson Memorial Hall 6823 St. Charles Avenue New Orleans, LA 70118 504.314.2330

tulanecitycenter.org



Our ProcessThe TCC has tackled a wide variety of visioning, planning, and design/build projects with a host of

dynamic community partners. These projects vary in scale and scope, but generally benefit from

one of two types of services TCC can provide. Please see pages 5-9 of this document for examples

of past community-driven projects. TCC will work with successful applicants to determine which

services will best advance their project:

Visioning/Planning

This service supports projects that range from mapping public transportation routes to

developing strategies and designs for renovating a non-profit headquarters. Students and

professional staff will work with the partner to define the project’s goals, create designs,

and provide project documentation and booklets. These booklets generally include cost

estimates and preliminary designs to help promote the project for development funding,

and provide a baseline for the partner to work with an architect and developer going

forward. Due to the variety of project scales, we will work with successful applicants to

establish a timeline individual to each project.

Design/Build

This service supports projects for which organizations already own a site, and range from a

community garden with an outdoor classroom to an arts and performance space. Design/

build projects will be structured within the timeframe of an academic semester (Fall 2015

or Spring 2016). During the semester, students will be guided through 4-5 weeks of design,

during which participation and feedback from the partners will be critically important.

Once designs are complete, students will construct the project throughout the semester’s

remaining 7-8 weeks.

The typical progression of a project includes:

1. Research: The TCC team will have multiple meetings with successful applicants to learn more

about their projects, and conduct visits to the proposed site. We will research the appropriate

building codes and zoning ordinances, and become familiar with examples of similar projects.

2.Visioning & Design: The design and planning process will involve a series of proposals from the

TCC student and staff design team, incorporating your feedback until we have accurately captured

your project aspirations.

3. Finalize Design: Together we will select the best design scheme, develop it in detail, provide

basic cost estimates, and try to set the project up for success in future phases.

4A. Visioning/Planning Document: When a design and development scheme has been finalized, we

will incorporate the work into a single document, both printed and digital, for ongoing promotion

and fundraising purposes.

4B. Design/Build: For projects that will be built by TCC staff and students, the final product will

be the constructed project itself. The scope of what can be completed within the semester-based

timeframe will be discussed in detail during the research and design process.



Making a proposalTo apply for the Community Design & Planning Program, prepare a single packet that contains the following information and mail to the TCC (either email OR hard copy) no later than May 15th, 2015 (Friday).

For email proposals, please send in pdf format: [email protected]

For hard copies, please send to: Tulane City Center - 2015 RFP 1725 Baronne Street New Orleans, LA 70113

Project InformationProvide the following information on a single page at the beginning of your application packet:

-Name of Organization

-Name of project for which you are requesting pro bono design and planning services

-Phone #

-Email address

-Contact person

Project ProposalAnswer the following questions in no more than 3 pages:

- Describe the work of your organization (please include your mission statement if you have one)

- What are your major accomplishments in the previous 3 years?

- Describe the project for which you are seeking pro bono design and planning services

- Why is this project important to your mission?

- How will you sustain your efforts towards developing and then managing this project after our

work is completed?

Supporting MaterialPlease provide a copy of your 501(c)3 letter of determination (or if you operate under a fiscal

sponsorship, the letter from that organization and a letter confirming your relationship).

You also need to submit two letters of support from groups with whom you have worked or who are

familiar with your work.

Selection ProcessNot sure where your project fits in? Come to the Tulane City Center on Tuesday, April 14th, 6pm (1725 Baronne St.) for a chance to talk to staff about this process.

Proposals are due to the TCC no later than May 15th, 2015 (Friday) The TCC will let all applicants know of their selection no later than June 12th 2015 (Friday).



A.L. Davis Park - Visioning Study

Non Profit Project Partner: NONDC

The A.L. Davis Park master plan and visioning study was a comprehensive effort

led by longtime neighborhood residents who hope to build on the park’s important

history in the neighborhood. The program distribution incorporates many requests

and suggestions by the community for park activities and infrastructure.

Services provided by TCC: Development and implementation of community

outreach strategy for design and planning input (with NONDC and Urban Outreach

LLC), development of 2 alternative site design and development proposals,

production of a project booklet that promotes the proposed park improvements

and estimated costs for subsequent partnership development and fundraising.

JCI/TCC Pro Bono Community Design and Planning ProgramVisioning Study Projects

The following are examples of projects done through our annual Request for Proposals Process.Projects fall into two main categories, Visioning Studies, and Design Build Projects.

Jane Place Neighborhood Sustainability Initiative - Visioning Study

Non Profit Project Partner: JPNSI

A recently established housing and community development nonprofit, Jane Place

Neighborhood Sustainability Initiative (JPNSI) works to increase the range of

affordable housing options available to low and moderate income residents by

encouraging resident-controlled development; advocating for shared-equity models

of homeownership, renting, and cooperative housing; and promoting community-

building initiatives that advance equitable housing patterns, neighborhood stability,

and community-driven land-use planning.

Services provided by TCC: development of specific schematic design proposals for

the 4-plex apartment building they currently own, as well as exploring a broader

range of coordinated neighborhood development including the adjacent furniture

warehouse building and future possible land and building acquisitions. This project

represented our first significant collaboration with faculty and students from TSA’s

new Masters of Sustainable Real Estate Development program.

Jane Place Neighborhood Sustainability Initiative[JPNSI]



New Orleans Dance Collective - Visioning Study

Non Profit Project Partner: NODC

The New Orleans Dance Collective (NODC), a non-profit youth organization, actively

links dance with social work and seeks to address the overwhelming need for positive,

life-affirming, esteem-building cultural activities for inner-city at-risk youth in post-

Katrina New Orleans. The TCC worked with NODC to develop schematic design

proposals for a new Dance Studio to serve their programs needs. Based on research

of similar programs accross the nation and intensive dialogue with NODC and their

partners the TCC team developed a series of design proposals.

Services provided by TCC: development of design schemes and a phased

development scenario. Work was compiled into the final ‘visioning document’ for

NODC to use in support of fundraising and other promotional activities as they

work towards full project implementation.


Ride NOLA Transportation Advocacy - Visioning Study

Non Profit Project Partner: Ride New Orleans

Ride New Orleans’ mission is to enhance the quality of life in the New Orleans region

by promoting safe, convenient and affordable transportation options. This reserach

and advocacy project targets a few major interesctions in the city and suggests

improvements to the city’s infrastructure to encourage saftey and increased ridership.

The TCC along with the project partner, Ride New Orleans, are looking at ways to

advocate for safer interchanges and spread awareness to riders.

Services provided by TCC: The team helped the community partner establish a set of

parameters for the design problem and propsed specific safe interchanges between

different modes of transportaion and placed these proptotypical ideas within the

larger transportation context within the city. The project resulted in a booklet used

by Ride NOLA to advocate for their ideas.

TRANSIT ORIENTED DISTRICT PROJECT regional map - small scale



Project Home By Hand - Visioning Study

Research and Design for a new model of Self Help Housing

The Tulane City Center teamed up with Project Home Again, a New Orleans

Residential Rebuilding Non-Profit, to research the history of Self Help Housing in the

US and propose 4 new house prototypes based on a new and localized response to the

Self Help Housing Model. Project Home Again is committed to building several of

these affordable housing prototypes and is investigating a program model which will

allow community members currently non served by traditional affordable housing

providers (such as small families, formerly incarcerated, and at risk populations)

have a path to home ownership.

Services provided by TCC: research into similar programs and mid-century modern

building styles in Gentilly, initial design schemes for 4 houses, and a booklet which

summarizes Project Home by Hand’s goals, history, program model, and the

housing schemes. The booklet is currently being used by Project Home Again to

raise funds and build a coalition of interested groups.




Pyramid Wellness - Design Build

Non Profit Project Partner: Pyramid Resources Wellness Institute

Located in Mid City, Pyramid Resources Wellness Institute (PRWI) provides

treatment services for persons in the greater New Orleans area who are homeless,

have mental illness diagnosis or co-occurring substance use and mental illness.

PRWI’s day treatment facility was in need of additional group therepy, outdoor

dining, and activity space. The studio team worked with the staff and residents of the

Pyramid Wellness to design and build the outdoor space into an area that can adapt

to the multiple needs of the residents and provides a calming outdoor space for the

clients and staff of the facility.

Services provided by TCC: Site planning, designing of outdoor recreation and

eating space, construction. An additional graphic design project followed this

design build to help PRWI inform their clients of their mental crisis options.

Guardians Institute - Design Build

Non Profit Project Partner: Guardians Institute

The Guardians Institute project involves a master plan for the Guardians Institute’s

campus in the Upper Ninth Ward. The Guardians Institute is dedicated to preserving,

promoting, and celebrating African American tradition and culture. The design team

developed a site plan and built an 800 square foot performance space. The space is

used for Mardi Gras Indian performances, community-oriented programing, and as a

support space for the Guardians Literacy Program.

Services provided by TCC: Site planning, performance pavilion design, landscape

design, coordination with city agencies to gain necessary zoning adjustments

and permits (in partnership with Alembic Development Company), construction.

Project Ish Outdoor Enrichment Room - Design Build

Non Profit Project Partner: First Grace Community Alliance

A team of students from the Tulane School of Architecture designed and built a 400

square foot outdoor enrichment room for children and residents of a transitional

home during the fall semester of 2010. The design build project is a 400s.f. playroom

and educational space that was added to the back of the existing transitional home.

The scheme includes a linear storage wall, a loft playspace, and a butterfly roof which

collects rainwater for an adjacent community garden.

Services provided by TCC: Design, permit application, and construction of the

400s.f. space for use by Hagar House residents and their children.

JCI/TCC Pro Bono Community Design and Planning ProgramDesign Build Projects



Parisite Skatepark - Design Build

Non Profit Project Partner: Transitional Spaces

Parisite began as a Do-It-Yourself skatepark and in 2013 it was officially recognized

by the city of New Orleans as the city’s first official Skatepark Recreation Area. TCC

teamed up with a group of skaters, known as Transitional Spaces, to help make the

transition from idea to official city park. In process we have engaged skaters and

community members in the master planning process to create a vision for a space

that is inclusive, fun and educational. The park officially opened February 28th, 2015.

Services provided by TCC: TCC’s work began by developing a vision for the

skatepark and advocating for its legitimacy. Through this process, Transitional

Spaces became strong advocates for the park, and succeeded in getting a set of

ramps donated by Red Bull/Sphon. TCC students continued their work through

design and construction of an entrance to the park, signage, planting, benches and

handrails to make the skatepark a welcoming community park space. Planted areas

address the need for stormwater catchment and filtration from the overpass.

TCC Headquarters/Baronne Buildout - Design Build

Making a community based home for the Tulane City Center

Tulane City Center moved into its new home at 1725 Baronne Street in Central City

in the fall of 2014. The new TCC headquarters provides ample workspace for staff,

fellows, and interns as TCC expands, as well as community-based project studio

space. The building also houses community events and resource space, as well as a

fully outfitted shop for fabrication and staging of community design-build projects.

Most importantly, the new site helps to bring TCC geographically closer to its project

sites and partners as the Center seeks to both strengthen existing relationships and

forge new ones with community members, nonprofits and government agencies..

Services provided by TCC: assessment of user needs and the design and fabrication

of custom interior buildouts to accomodate those needs. Community members, TCC

Staff, and Tulane Students were all taken into account to create a series of flexible

spaces for a range of programs related to community, design, and the city.

JCI/TCC Pro Bono Community Design and Planning ProgramDesign Build Projects

Tulane city center RFP 2015

Documents

Transcript of Tulane city center RFP 2015