RFQ - Black Hawk Mini Park

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR BLACK HAWK MINI PARK IOWA CITY DOWNTOWN DISTRICT

Issued date: March 30, 2026 PROJECT

INFORMATION AND SERVICES REQUESTED

The Iowa City Downtown District is seeking qualifed landscape architecture frms, multidisciplinary design teams, or contractors to provide professional design services for an approximately 55' × 55' urban park located in Black Hawk Mini Park (104 S. Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA 52240). This project will reimagine the site as a highly visible and fexible public gathering space at the north entrance to the Iowa City Pedestrian Mall. The intent is to transform the existing footprint into an activated urban park that supports daily use, informal recreation, social gathering, and community programming. The selected frm will provide full design services, including concept development, schematic design, design development, construction documentation, cost estimation, and construction administration support.

DESIGNATED LOCATION

The park will be located within Black Hawk Mini Park (104 S. Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA 52240), positioned at the north entrance of the Iowa City Pedestrian Mall. Visibility, safety, and accessibility are critical considerations. Given its prominent downtown location, the design must function as both a gateway feature and a gathering space in the Pedestrian Mall.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES 1.

​ Authentic /

Dynamic:

Create a transformative and colorful urban park that fosters vibrancy, fexibility, and year-round activation. The space must feel intentional and energetic, and not passive or static. Designers are encouraged to incorporate creative features such as sculptural seating and/or fexible furnishings, infrastructure that supports temporary programming, and lighting elements that enhance safety, ambiance, and nighttime activation.

Design solutions should:

• ​ Create a strong sense of arrival at the Pedestrian Mall
• ​ Support universal accessibility and inclusive use
• ​ Encourage daily use and spontaneous gathering
• ​ Integrate seating (fxed/movable)
• ​ Integrate tables or surfaces for eating and working 1
• ​ Provide opportunities for recreation and playful engagement/interactive play elements
• ​ Integrate visually distinctive elements with an emphasis on art
• ​ Support the use of temporary programming
• ​ Incorporate lighting elements that enhance safety, ambiance, and nighttime activation 2.

​ Longevity /

Sustainability:

Create a durable, resilient, and maintainable urban space that will serve the Iowa City community and visitors for an approximate life span of 20 years. The park should balance long-term infrastructure investment with fexibility for evolving uses over time.

Design solutions should:

• ​ Utilize materials capable of withstanding Iowa's year-round weather exposure
• ​ Minimize long-term maintenance burden
• ​ Incorporate sustainable and environmentally responsible materials

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• ​ Projects must comply with all applicable local, state, and federal requirements, approvals, and permits, including building codes and zoning requirements.
• ​ Full ADA compliance, including accessible routes, seating options, and gathering areas
• ​ Materials are appropriate for heavy public use and capable of withstanding year-round Iowa weather conditions
• ​ Structural elements (shade structures, overhead features, or custom installations) must be designed and certifed by a licensed structural engineer

PROJECT SCHEDULE

• ​ RFQ is released: March 30, 2026
• ​ Deadline to submit

Statement of Qualifcations:

May 15, 2026

• ​

Interview Short Listed Firms:

May 15 - 17, 2026

• ​

Select Firm:

May 20, 2026

• ​ Finalize design: September 1, 2026
• ​

Installation:

Spring 2027 PROJECT BUDGET The Iowa City Downtown District has allocated $200,000.00 for the design, fabrication, and installation of Black Hawk Mini Park. The design should not exceed 15% of the total budget.

SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION

Submittal Requirements Proposers should, at a minimum, include the following information:

• ​ Name, address, and brief description of the frm. 2
• ​ Legal name and address of the proposing entity and proposed team, if different, the name of the legal entity with whom the Iowa City Downtown District would contract.
• ​ Identifcation and resumes of key staff members conducting the work.
• ​ Qualifcations and experience of the company and any project partners, if applicable.
• ​ Narrative/concept statement describing the project, and a description of at least two (2) similar or relevant projects completed by the frm, particularly those involving redesigning urban spaces.

Include project name, location, client, year completed, and a brief description of the scope and outcomes. Include reference contact information. Delivery and Due Date Submit one (1) digital PDF by May 15, 2026, to: ian@downtowniowacity.com​ ​Subject line: "RFQ - Black Hawk Mini Park." Late submissions may not be considered. Evaluation Process ICDD staff and the task force committee will evaluate each Statement of Qualifcations individually and in the context of all other submissions. Submissions must be fully responsive to the requirements described in the RFQ. The criteria against which each submission will be considered may include the following:

• ​ Qualifcation of frm, project team, and fabrication partner (not to exceed one page)
• ​ Understanding and alignment with stated Project Objectives
• ​ Compliance with RFQ Submittal Requirements
• ​ Previous work examples Contacts for Questions ​Betsy Potter, Executive Director ​Iowa City Downtown District ​

Email:

betsy@downtowniowacity.com

Ian Dunbar, Director of Place Management Iowa City Downtown District Email:

ian@downtowniowacity.com

CONDITIONS

• ​ All fnal design plans for Black Hawk Mini Park are subject to review and approval by the City prior to implementation.
• ​ This does not obligate the Iowa City Downtown District to award a contract.
• ​ Iowa City Downtown District may request additional information.
• ​ All materials submitted become the property of the Iowa City Downtown District.
• ​ Fees are not requested at this stage.

3 AERIAL

VIEW - BLACK HAWK MINI PARK

(104 S

DUBUQUE ST., IOWA CITY, IA 52240

) 4 SPRING/SUMMER

ACTIVATION

PICKLEBALL / TABLE

TENNIS COURTS 5 FALL/WINTER ACTIVATION

HOLIDAY

POP-UP MARKETS 6 ADDITIONAL SITE PHOTOS 7

8