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ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO AWARD A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT TO WALLACE ROBERTS & TODD, LLC, FOR THE DOWNTOWN STOCKTON MASTER PLAN AND VISIONING PROJECT
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a Resolution to:
1. Award a Professional Services Agreement in the amount not to exceed $1,027,340 to Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC, for the Downtown Stockton Master Plan and Visioning Project;
2. Authorize a budget amendment to appropriate $154,965 from the Redevelopment Sub-fund balance for this contract;
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement substantially similar in form to Attachment A; and
4. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this Resolution.
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Summary
The City has received Regional Early Action Planning (REAP 2.0) grant funding to be used toward developing a Downtown Stockton Master Plan and Visioning document to guide the City in development, with a focus on housing production. REAP 2.0 is a State of California program intended to accelerate infill housing development, reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMTs), increase housing supply at all affordability levels, affirmatively further fair housing, and facilitate the implementation of adopted regional and local plans to achieve these goals.
Downtown Stockton contains several vacant and underutilized sites that are suitable for infill housing development. This includes properties owned by the City of Stockton, such as the recently acquired Wells Fargo building and the Permit Center complex. In addition, the adaptive reuse of Historic City Hall provides an opportunity for further placemaking and activation within the El Dorado and Center Street corridor.
To assist with the acceleration of infill housing development, particularly on City-owned properties, staff recommend awarding a contract with Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC, for the preparation of a Downtown Stockton Master Plan and Visioning document.
DISCUSSION
Background
On April 16, 2024, City Council authorized an application to the San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) for the receipt of $969,000 in REAP 2.0 funds (Attachment B - Resolution 2024-04-16-1205). On May 13, 2025, City Council authorized an amended application to SJCOG for an additional $855,200.96 in REAP 2.0 funds - for a total allocation of $1,824,200.96 (Attachment C - Resolution 2025-05-13-1210). Within the funding application to SJCOG, staff outlined a strategy to deploy REAP 2.0 funds for the creation of a Downtown Stockton Master Plan and Visioning document.
The purpose of the effort is to accelerate infill housing opportunities, particularly along the El Dorado and Center Street corridor, analyzing opportunities to activate underutilized City-owned land and nearby properties. Complimentary activities also include the exploration and, if deemed feasible, creation of an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) within a strategic area of the Downtown. The effort also includes additional phases and activities to explore the creation of an Entertainment District and a utility infrastructure analysis to identify deficiencies for constructing infill housing.
Present Situation
In April 2025, the City published a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify and select a firm to prepare the Downtown Stockton Master Plan and Visioning document. The RFP also included added activities, to be funded with a different funding source (REAP 2.0 cannot be used for this purpose), to explore further activation of existing assets and amenities and to develop an Entertainment District along the waterfront. The City received ten proposals and after thorough review and scoring of the proposals, staff selected Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC (WRT). Staff recommends approval of a contract in the amount of $1,027,340 with WRT to prepare the Master Plan and Visioning document, and to conduct all associated activities including those related to EIFD formation and the Entertainment District.
REAP 2.0 funding has a current expenditure deadline of June 30, 2026; however, since the City is receiving the REAP 2.0 funding as a passthrough from SJCOG, the City is required to submit final invoices to SJCOG in March 2026. A six-month extension to the REAP 2.0 expenditure deadline has been incorporated into State legislation and has been signed by the Governor. This extension of the REAP 2.0 Program will provide additional time for WRT to complete the scope of work. Executing the contract with WRT will enable the commencement of work and preparation of studies to facilitate infill housing production.
Staff will bring an item to Council in the near future regarding the use of the remaining REAP 2.0 funding.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There is no impact to the General Fund from this action. The contract will be funded with $872,375 of REAP 2.0 funds from the Special Grant Fund, Reimbursement Grants sub-fund, in the Economic Development division account. The remaining contract budget of $154,965 will be funded by the redevelopment sub-fund balance, budgeted in the Asset Management Division, Redevelopment Sub-fund, in the Economic Development Department.
Attachment A - Agreement
Attachment B - Resolution 2024-04-16-1205
Attachment C - Resolution 2025-05-13-1210