The firm of Grissim, Metz, and Andriese has been awarded a contract to plan a conversion of the closed sections of North Center Street and Main Street into a permanent pedestrian environment.
The $47,700 cost will be split between the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the city. Each will pay $23,850 for the development plan. The plan, assigned to the DDA, must support local businesses and foster community engagement, according to the specifications of the bid. Five design firms responded to the Request For Proposal (RFP) and those bids were reviewed by members of the DDA Economic Development Committee, along with city DPW Director Mike Domine.
The selection of Grissim, Metz and Andriese was approved by members of the city council during a meeting earlier this month. Councilmembers also agreed to extend the special event application for street closures from Nov. 7 until March 15 to allow time to develop the plan.
Councilmembers also recently approved a $59,800 contract with Fleis and Vandenbrink to study traffic patterns and pedestrian safety in and around the closed streets of downtown Northville in the area of Center and Main.
The closed bid process to study traffic flow drew proposals from four firms, with prices ranging from $45,000 to $85,000. The scope of work will evaluate pedestrian safety improvements to be made within a 1,200-foot radius of Center and Main and conduct a neighborhood traffic management plan for the non-arterial roads between Seven Mile and Eight Mile and between Rogers and S. Main/Northville Road.
The traffic report will be integrated with the design work of Grissim Metz Andriese to create plans for a pedestrian environment on the closed sections of Main Street and N. Center.
