July 28, 2026
Economic Development
DATE: July 28, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Nannette Beacham, Director of Economic Development
Jesson de Leon, Senior Business Assistance Officer
Junne Garcia, Management Analyst
Subject:
Economic Revitalization Strategy for Downtown Richmond
and Macdonald Avenue Corridor
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $350,000 expenditure for preparation of the Economic Revitalization Strategy is not included
within the approved Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Economic
Development budget. Adoption of the resolution will
require an additional General Fund appropriation in the amount of $350,000 to support the project (Account
String: 01361165-400201).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
September 23, 2025
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
City staff requests the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Professional Services Agreement with the top ranked firm to prepare the Economic Revitalization Strategy for
Downtown Richmond and the Macdonald Avenue
Corridor
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution to AUTHORIZE the city manager to
negotiate and execute documents necessary for a
professional services contract with the top ranked firm for preparation of the Economic Revitalization Strategy for Downtown Richmond and the Macdonald Avenue
Corridor in an amount not to exceed $350,000, and
APPROPRIATE funds to support the project - Economic
Development Department (Jesson de Leon 510-412-
AGENDA
REPORT
July 28, 2026
2023/Junne Garcia 510-620-6524/Nannette Beacham
510-620-1306).
BACKGROUND:
The Richmond City Council approved the establishment of the Macdonald Avenue Corridor Task Force on September 23, 2025. The Task Force serves as a collaborative forum to:
Identify shared priorities;
Share diverse community and stakeholder perspectives; Coordinate revitalization and development efforts;
DISCUSSION:
City staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Economic Revitalization Strategy and received multiple submissions from qualified firms. Proposals were reviewed for alignment with the City’s goals for Downtown Richmond and Macdonald Avenue, including the need for a comprehensive revitalization framework, robust analytical methods, and demonstrated experience with similar urban economic development projects. Evaluation was conducted using the criteria established in the RFP, which include Understanding of Scope, Approach and Methodology, Team Qualifications and Experience, Cost Effectiveness, and References.
Criteria Description Point Value
Understanding of Project
Scope
Clarity in addressing Downtown Richmond
and Macdonald Avenue challenges; grasp
of project objectives and context.
30 points
Approach and
Methodology
Innovation, feasibility, and
comprehensiveness of strategy; strength
of community engagement plan.
30 points
Team Qualifications &
Experience
Expertise and past performance on similar
urban revitalization projects; experience
with historic downtowns.
20 points
Cost Effectiveness
Transparency and reasonableness of
proposed budget.
10 points
References & Past Work
Quality of past projects and endorsements
from references.
10 points
The following table summarizes individual evaluator scores, average scores, and final ranking
July 28, 2026
Proposer #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 Avg.
BAE Urban
Economics
91 97 70 87 82 97 85 87.0
Critical Impact
Consulting
79 91 73 80 73 73 46 73.6
EPS +
PlaceWorks
97 100 85 83 82 82 97 89.4
HR&A Advisors 85 100 100 86 70 100 70 87.3
Sunstone Cities
LLC
82 73 82 81 70 70 85 77.6
HdL
ECONSolutions
82 100 85 78 67 76 97 83.6
Rank* Proposer Avg. Score Notes
1 EPS + PlaceWorks 89.4 Highest overall score
2 HR&A Advisors 87.3 Second-ranked proposal
3 BAE Urban Economics 87.0 Close to second-ranked
proposal
4 HdL ECONSolutions 83.6
5 Sunstone Cities LLC 77.6
6 Critical Impact Consulting 73.6
* Rank of selection panel through initial review
City staff intends to interview the three top-ranked firms to further assess the strength of each team’s approach, implementation readiness, and ability to meet the City’s expectations for a comprehensive economic revitalization strategy. Interviews will include a supplemental scoring component evaluating clarity of responses, alignment with City priorities, implementation feasibility, and team capabilities.
Following completion of interviews, staff will combine the proposal score (maximum 100 points) and the interview score (maximum 20 points) to generate a final composite score for each firm. The consultant with the highest composite score will be recommended for award, consistent with the RFP’s guidance that the highest-ranked proposer following interviews will advance to negotiations.
Interview Component Description Point Value
Clarity of Responses
Ability to clearly address staff questions
and articulate strategy.
5 points
Alignment With City
Priorities
Demonstrated understanding of
Richmond’s needs, equity
considerations, and implementation
challenges.
5 points
Implementation Feasibility
Practicality of timeline, staffing plan, and
proposed execution methods.
5 points
Team Capability &
Communication
Strength of team members,
communication style, and readiness to
partner with the City.
5 points
July 28, 2026
Completion of the Economic Revitalization Strategy will provide the City with a coordinated implementation framework that identifies catalytic redevelopment opportunities, establishes investment priorities, supports business attraction and retention efforts, identifies potential funding opportunities, and provides a roadmap for revitalizing Downtown Richmond and the Macdonald Avenue Corridor.
NEXT STEPS:
Upon City Council approval and adoption of a resolution, staff will:
Interview three top-ranked firms;
Negotiate and execute a professional services agreement with the top ranked firm;
Conduct a project kickoff meeting with City staff and key stakeholders; Finalize the project work plan, schedule, and public engagement strategy; Coordinate with the Macdonald Avenue Corridor Task Force, City departments, community organizations, businesses, and residents throughout project implementation;
Present project milestones and draft deliverables to the Task Force and City Council, as appropriate; and
Return to City Council with the completed Economic Revitalization Strategy for acceptance and consideration of future implementation actions.
SYNERGISTIC POLICIES:
Strategic Goal Areas
1. Increase revenue and improve economic development
2. Improve the quality of life, community health, and social determinants of health
General Plan 2030
Policy ED1.1 – Safe, Well-Maintained Neighborhoods and Public Space Policy ED1.3 – Support Existing Businesses
Policy ED2.2 – Revitalize Commercial Corridors
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – RFP - Economic Revitalization Strategy Downtown Richmond Attachment 2 – Resolution