Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign and the City Clerk to attest an agreement between Axiom Consultants of Iowa City, IA and the City of Iowa City for consulting services for the Bus Stop Improvement Plan.

Darian L. Nagle-Gamm; Transportation Services Director

Chris O'Brien; Deputy City Manager

Jennifer Schwickerath; First Assistant City Attorney

$155,100 (not-to-exceed). Funds are available in CIP project T3059.

N/A

This is a resolution to approve a consultant agreement with Axiom Consultants (A Ruekert & Mielke Company) to complete the Comprehensive Bus Stop Condition Evaluation, Needs Assessment, and Improvement Plan. The consultant will inventory and assess the condition, accessibility, and amenities at all existing City bus stops, including the Downtown Transit Interchange, develop a needs assessment and stop prioritization framework, and prepare an actionable, multi-year bus stop improvement plan for priority improvements. The project advances the Mobility impact area of the City's FY2023-2028 Strategic Plan. 

The City issued a Request for Qualifications for this project. A selection committee evaluated the submittals and selected Axiom Consultants based on qualifications, key personnel, and project approach.  

The consultant will inventory and assess the condition of all City bus stops, including field checks for ADA compliance, review of amenities, and updating GIS databases. The consultant will then evaluate needs at bus stops and the Downtown Transit Interchange, classify stops by type, and develop a framework for prioritizing improvements. The work will conclude with cost estimates and a phased improvement plan in accordance with City design standards. The total cost of services shall not exceed $155,100, and the work is expected to be complete by April 2027. 

In advance of full plan completion, we are taking steps to accelerate several bus stop improvements, weather permitting. In fall 2026, shelters and amenities will be installed at Lower Muscatine Avenue and Mall Drive, Mormon Trek Boulevard and Cameron Way (northbound), and a shelter reinstallation at Muscatine Avenue and Court Street with the completion of the first phase of the Court Street reconstruction project. Additionally, in 2027, plans call for installing two large shelters on heated concrete pads at a newly established mid-block crosswalk with a refuge island near the Hy-Vee on Muscatine Avenue. 

I will be available at your October 20th meeting should you have any questions about this project.