TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Dustin Anderson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT:
title
Award of Professional Services Agreement for the Study & Designation of the Downtown Special Service Area (SSA) to SB Friedman Development Advisors in the Amount of $54,260
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BACKGROUND:
On March 12th, the Economic Development Division posted a request for proposals for consulting services to conduct a feasibility study regarding the potential reconstitution of the current City Center Special Service Area (SSA). That scope would additionally determine if (a) there is a more efficient public financing mechanism, and (b) whether the boundaries should be modified. The current SSA, which is managed by the City Center Partnership, is set to expire on December 31, 2026. The SSA was last reconstituted in 2016. At that time, the boundary was expanded and the life of the SSA was extended by 10 years.
In order for the SSA to continue to exist the City must take action to extend the life of the designated area.
The request for proposal’s scope of work included the following:
• Formation of a steering committee.
• Inventory of properties.
• Boundary refinement research and recommendations.
• Public financing mechanism research and recommendations.
• Public meeting support.
• Creation of maps of the proposed area.
• Assistance with the creation of the final designation process and documents.
On March 31st, staff received a single submittal from SB Friedman Development Advisors. In its RFP response, SB Friedman estimated the cost of the proposed work to be $54,260.00, excluding expenses related to surveying, public hearing notices, and mailings. The firm outlined a three-phase approach to completing the project:
• Phase 1: SSA Visioning and Boundary Definition.
o Creation of a steering committee.
o Boundary mapping and refinement.
o Tax model scenarios.
o Collection and analysis of parcel-level data.
• Phase 2: SSA Planning.
o Draft of needs assessment survey.
o Tax model scenarios refinement.
o Steering committee meetings convening.
• Phase 3: SSA Refinement and Submission.
o Public notice mailing assistance.
o Public meeting material preparation and assistance.
o Designation process and materials preparation and assistance.
There are sufficient funds in the City Center SSA Fund to cover the cost of this study (FUND: 230 OBJ: 523300).
On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the Land Use & Economic Development Committee voted to recommend full approval by the City Council.
CONCLUSION:
Given the evolving beautification and marketing priorities of the City for downtown Joliet and its adjacent areas, conducting a feasibility study is necessary to evaluate and choose the best public financing mechanism available, and ensure the boundaries are appropriate.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Based on the above, it is recommended that the Mayor and City Council approve an Award of Professional Services Agreement for the Study & Designation of the Downtown Special Service Area (SSA) to SB Friedman Development Advisors in the Amount of $54,260.
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