Liang - Civic Center should allow open bids

From: Liang C

Date: Wed, Nov 18, 2015 at 12:41 AM
Subject: Five Internationally-Renowned Teams Compete for the $51 Million Project in San Francisco
To: City Council <citycouncil@cupertino.org>, "City of Cupertino Planning Dept." <planning@cupertino.org>, David Brandt davidb@cupertino.org

 

Dear Mayor Sinks, Vice Mayor Chang and Councilmembers,

Please put Civic Center project out for open bids. Perkins+Will should not be allowed to participate in bidding to avoid any implication that they might have somehow influenced the Council to choose the most expensive option for their own benefits.

Five Internationally-Renowned Teams Compete for a $51 Million Project in San Francisco.

Check out the beautiful designs submitted to Presidio Parklands project in San Francisco. The project first have RFQ for the "imagine" phase to solicit concept design with $25,000 stipend for 5 firms. Then, they will have another RFG for the "implementation" phase to select one firm among many.

The New Presidio Parklands Project in San Franciscocreates a singular opportunity to establish a magnificent 13-acre landscape that integrates the waterfront with the Presidio’s historic core. Once completed, visitors will enjoy an unparalleled experience of the Golden Gate.
The estimated total cost of the New Presidio Parklands Project is $51 million.

After responding to an Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in early 2014, five internationally-renowned teams were invited to participate the “imagine” phase of the project. The teams included:

1. CMG Landscape Architecture, San Francisco
2. James Corner Field Operations, New York
3. OLIN, Philadelphia/Los Angeles
4. SNØHETTA, Oslo/New York /San Francisco
5. West 8 Team, Rotterdam/Brussels/New York

Each of the teams is awarded a $25,000 stipend to develop its proposal over two months, and present its designs to the public in the fall of 2014. The teams developed creative concepts that have served to spark a robust public dialogue about the future of site.

Here is the RFQ of the "imagine" phase.

Here is the FAQ of the RFQ of the "imagine" phase.

Note that there will be another RFQ for the implementation phase, where one or more teams who participated in the "imagine" phase will be invited to join. And it states:
"The Presidio Trust reserves the right to expand distribution of the RFP to a broader list  of design teams should additional input be deemed necessary."

-----------------------

REFERENCE:

Presidio Trust Selects Five Internationally Acclaimed Firms and Invites Public to Create Vision for New Presidio Parkland Create Vision for New Presidio Parkland

Five Proposals Unveiled for Presidio Parklands in San Francisco, Sep. 9, 2014, Arch Daily

Presidio, Take 2 - finalists reveal plans for Parklands project, Sep. 2014, The Architects Newspaper

 

 

From: Liang C

Date: Wed, Nov 18, 2015 at 10:20 AM
Subject: Re: Five Internationally-Renowned Teams Compete for the $51 Million Project in San Francisco
To: City Council <citycouncil@cupertino.org>, "City of Cupertino Planning Dept." <planning@cupertino.org>, David Brandt <davidb@cupertino.org>

The last contract with Perkins+Will on Civic Center ends on Aug. 31. And it was for the Civic Center Master Plan only, which is already approved.

The City is under no obligation at all to give the Civic Center project to Perkins+Will unless someone promised them the project privately.

I am sure that's not the case.

Please put the Civic Center out for an open bid whatever the final cost is.

Otherwise, please give the residents an explanation why open bid for RFQ is not an option.

Thank you.

Liang