The County of Simcoe is seeking submissions from qualified and experienced vendors.  Only online submissions will be accepted for this opportunity.

Request for Proposal No. 2022-087

For:  Affordable Housing High Performance Building Design at 20 Rose Street, Barrie

The County of Simcoe is seeking to build an energy efficient 150-unit affordable housing building on a 1.9 hectare (4.7 acre) parcel of land. The lands, known as 20 Rose Street, are centrally located in the City of Barrie. The location, in an established residential neighbourhood, allows the opportunity for an attractive and safe street scape with access to commercial amenities, schools, transit and pedestrian connectivity. The high performance building is expected to be designed in a way that minimizes visual impact and overshadowing of neighbouring properties. The building will consist of approximately 77 one-bedroom units, 25 two-bedroom units and 50 three-bedroom units, a tenant common room area with an accessible kitchen, and will also contain approximately 2,324 SM (25,000sf) of ground floor and, optionally, second floor commercial space for a County Social and Community Services office including Ontario Works, Children Services, and Housing offices, as well as approximately 465 SM (5000sf) for a licensed child care centre. 

The site plan will include a designated child care centre playground area, small outdoor amenity area, an accessible playground, and raised planter boxes. With County Council’s support via funds allocated in the 2022 budget, staff are moving ahead to acquire the services of an Architectural firm to complete: 

Phase 1: Schematic Design and Site Plan for:

1. 150 affordable mixed units for seniors, families and individuals
2. Social Services, Children Services and Social Housing office space and activity space
3. Agency space for a licensed child care centre
4. Include and coordinate MTO requirements of sound barrier and future lane widening
5. Include and coordinate proposed City of Barrie Rose street changes
6. Include all required renderings as identified in scope of work.

The County of Simcoe is inviting proposals from Architectural firms with experience in designing Community Hubs, Affordable Housing, and Social and Community Service space such as Ontario Works offices and Children Services facilities. Working with County and City of Barrie representatives, as well as key stakeholders, the consultant will create a schematic design, and draft Site Plan, with a target for presentation to County Council in February 2023.  Upon approval, staff will proceed to Phase 2.

Mandatory Experience Note: The Consultant must have experience at a minimum with design/contract administration for multiple (more than 2) 100 unit multi-residential housing projects and experience with Community Hub or Social and Community Service or Children Services or equivalent type building.

Mandatory Timing Note: This first phase of the assignment must be complete by January 27, 2023.

Phase 1 Key Dates:

• Draft Site Plan and Schematic Design Completed by October 31, 2022
• Final drawings and renderings submitted to County by January 27, 2023
• Staff Council Report must be completed by February 28, 2023

Phase 2: (Discretionary) Detailed Design and Costing, and Construction Contract Administration Services for the Project.

Contingent on Council approval to proceed with the development of 20 Rose Street, Barrie, satisfactory performance in Phase 1, and successful negotiation of a Phase 2 Contract, the Consultant may be engaged to provide design and construction contract administration services for the Project. 

Note: Pending council approval, it is expected that the Architect and consultant team will complete the majority of the detailed design development in 2023. The Construction Management contract award will take place early 2024. Permit application will also be fall/winter 2023, with a goal to start construction spring (April/May) 2024.