The preservation of urban green space to promote healthy recreation, appreciation for natural resources and opportunities for equitable economic revitalization is a core priority for the Murphy Administration. To advance these goals, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Request for Quotes (RFQ) from firms to facilitate the creation of master planning and detailed design documents for Liberty State Park in Jersey City and the recently acquired 9-mile abandoned rail corridor to be developed as the Greenway in Essex and Hudson counties. The DEP will select and contract with one or more qualified bidders to facilitate the creation of the master plans for these important urban green spaces.
Liberty State Park
The Liberty State Park Conservation, Recreation and Community Inclusion Act (P.L.2022, c.45), signed by Governor Murphy, authorizes the DEP to create a new master plan for Liberty State Park. The last master plan for the park is from the 1970s.
This law extends the Liberty State Park Task Force for a period of 24 months to further advise the DEP on development of short- and long-term actions to improve Liberty State Park and directing the DEP to develop a master plan that includes improvements to facilities, programs and amenities, creation of transportation and mobility services to ensure equitable public access, preservation of natural resources, and actions to improve climate resilience.
Through the issuance of this RFQ, the DEP seeks assistance in its continuing work with the task force to develop detailed recommendations and designs for a comprehensive, updated, equitable Liberty State Park Master Plan.
The Greenway
The Administration’s vision is to convert the abandoned Norfolk Southern rail line through Jersey City, Secaucus, Kearny, Belleville, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge and Montclair into a thriving multi-modal recreation and alternative-transportation corridor. On September 15, Governor Murphy announced the acquisition of the rail line to be developed as the Greenway.
The Greenway, traversing one of the most densely populated regions in the nation, provides a once-in-a-generation open space preservation opportunity that will provide a destination for exercise, recreation, and open space access, improve regional transportation, and spur equitable economic growth and redevelopment.
The Greenway will establish a new level of connectivity between communities through a shared green space and pathway that will enable seamless walking and biking connections between Montclair and Jersey City through Newark.
General Requirements
Firms or individuals submitting quotes must have demonstrated experience in public space and/or public life analyses, urban design, parks design and development, engineering, landscape design, or other related fields. Activities may include, but shall not be limited to:
- Assessment of design needs, challenges, opportunities, and alternatives relating to, among other things, safety and security, remedial activities, ecological and habitat restoration, impact studies, stormwater management, renewable energy options, equitable public access and ADA compliance, recreational amenities, pedestrian and bike trail, internal circulation and other transportation considerations, interpretive amenities, wayfinding and signage, design features, natural resource conservation, zoning analysis, complimentary or associated infrastructure and supportive community and economic development opportunities including arts, concessions and eco-tourism opportunities.
- Development of planning and design documents relating to, among other things, safety and security, remedial activities, ecological and habitat restoration, stormwater management, renewable energy options, equitable public access and ADA compliance, recreational amenities, pedestrian and bike trail, internal circulation and other transportation considerations, interpretive amenities, wayfinding and signage, design features, natural resource conservation, zoning analysis, complementary or associated infrastructure and supportive community and economic development opportunities including arts, concessions and eco-tourism opportunities.
- Development of master plans and designs for each park.
- Support the DEP in community engagement and stakeholder management.
The selected bidder or bidders shall be responsible for and shall act as prime coordinator(s) for all subconsultant services needed to complete the work and shall allow sufficient time to review and correct the work of sub-consultants prior to submission to the DEP.
Quotes must be received by the DEP by 2 p.m. on October 17, 2022. To view the official RFQ, visit
https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/jerseygreenwaydocs/Parks%20Development%20Consultant%20RFQ%20-%20Greenway%20+%20Liberty.pdf
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Official Site of The State of New Jersey
