SUBJECT:
Title
Request Approval to Engage Consultant for the US Highway 27 Area Study Master Plan and Align Funding for the Project: 25Q-145 US HWY 27 Area Study - Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., Ocala, FL (Budget Impact - Neutral; expenditure of $428,195)
Body
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INITIATOR: |
DEPARTMENT: |
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Chuck Varadin, Director |
Growth Services |
DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND:
On behalf of Growth Services, Procurement issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking qualified firms to develop a master plan for the North US Highway 27 corridor. One submittal was received in response to the solicitation. The proposal was evaluated and scored by a Selection Committee consisting of Steven Cohoon, Tony Cunningham, and Ken Weyrauch. Based on the committee's evaluation and scoring of the proposal, the Selection Committee recommends award to Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. as the most qualified firm to perform the services and develop the US Highway 27 Area Study Master Plan.
Marion County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, and the US Highway 27 corridor is projected to be the County’s next major growth area. With the new I-75 interchange (including the planned Buc-ee’s location), continued expansion of equine-related uses near the World Equestrian Center (WEC), and increasing development pressure on adjacent rural lands, this corridor will see significant change over the next ten to twenty years.
The US Highway 27 Area Study Master Plan provides a coordinated framework to guide that growth. Following a competitive selection process under RFQ 25Q-145, the County selected Kimley-Horn and Associates as the prime consultant, with Dover-Kohl & Partners as the subconsultant. Staff and the consultants have met and refined the scope, resulting in a reduction in the initial proposal from $489,955 to $428,195, with a potential Florida Community Planning Technical Assistance (CPTA) grant of $75,000.
Funding Source - No New General Fund Impact
This project will be funded by transferring existing FY26 Growth Services Professional Services funds. No new appropriation from the General Fund is required. The transfer reflects the following changes:
• The $225,000 reappropriated from FY25 was originally carried forward for this project and remains designated for it.
• The $125,000 budgeted for the Planned Service Area (PSA) Master Plan is being redirected. During the EAR-based Comprehensive Plan workshops, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) indicated it did not support initiating PSAs in the Marion Oaks area at this time, which occurred after the budget was approved.
• The $75,000 budgeted for the analysis of the Marion Oaks trail system is also being redirected. Staff is pursuing separate CPTA grant funding along with other funding opportunities that may become available.
The table below provides a summary of proposed funding transfer for the professional services line item for FY26 as well as the project costs for the US 27 Area Study.
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Funding Source |
Original FY26 Use |
Proposed Use |
Amount |
|
FY25 Reappropriation |
US 27 (carry-forward) |
US 27 Area Study |
$225,000 |
|
FY26 Budgeted Funds |
PSA Master Plan |
US 27 Area Study |
$125,000 |
|
FY26 Budgeted Funds |
Marion Oaks Trails Sys |
US 27 Area Study |
$75,000 |
|
FY26 Budgeted Funds |
LDC Updates |
US 27 Area Study |
$3,195 |
|
Total Available |
|
|
$428,195 |
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Project Cost - US 27 Area Study |
Amount |
|
Total Project Cost |
$428,195 |
Summary of the Project Scope and Deliverables
The Master Plan provides a framework to guide future development and coordinate future public and private investment efforts in the US 27 area (see attachment for proposed area). The Plan will reflect perspectives of area stakeholders and County officials and draw on non-County external operators to identify opportunities to create and activate an urban equine-influenced community.
The Master Plan provides a comprehensive development and infrastructure framework for the US 27 area. Key deliverables include:
• Existing Conditions and Market Analysis, including land use, demographics, ten-year residential and commercial market forecasts, and identification of market gaps and opportunities.
• Infrastructure analysis covering central water and sewer capacity, stormwater shortfalls, parks and recreation, and public safety facilities.
• Multimodal circulation plan addressing vehicular operations, pedestrian movement, bike and equestrian trail connectivity, and connectivity to the new I-75 interchange and surrounding developments.
• A five-day on-site Public Design Charrette with hands-on community sessions, an Open Design Studio, and a Work-in-Progress public presentation.
• A Strategic Investment Plan with recommended updates to the Comprehensive Plan, Land Development Code, and Planned Service Areas.
• A 20-year Capital Improvements Program and phasing schedule in cost-feasible form, including identification of grant programs and public-private partnership funding opportunities.
• BOCC Workshop with a presentation by the consultant and adoption during a regularly scheduled Board meeting.
Benefits to Marion County
• Proactive infrastructure coordination. Identifies utility, stormwater, and transportation needs before development pressure dictates outcomes one development application at a time.
• Right-of-way and capital planning. Identifies right-of-way acquisitions and alignment of infrastructure sites
• A replicable model for the County. The scope is designed to serve as a template for similar area plans in other parts of Marion County.
• Identified funding partners and grant sources. The Capital Improvements Program will document grant, loan, and public-private partnership opportunities that can offset County costs.
• Community-driven vision. The five-day on-site charrette and online survey provide a transparent, bottom-up process that builds public support and reduces controversy at later approval stages, which will facilitate future decision making.
• Strong consultant team. The partnership between Kimley-Horn and Dover-Kohl brings recognized expertise in rural urbanism, positioning Marion County as a leader among fast-growing rural-suburban counties
• Foundation for a form-based code. The plan provides the community-supported foundation needed for the Phase 2 Form-Based Code, providing greater predictability for property owners, developers, and decision-makers.
Schedule
The consultant will begin services within seven calendar days of receipt of the approved purchase order. A detailed project schedule will be provided at the Kick-Off Meeting and maintained throughout the project. It’s anticipated to take approximately eight (8) months to complete.
Attachments:
• A map of the proposed project area.
• An updated (May 5th) scope of services for the project, detailing the tasks, deliverables, and cost estimate of services.
BUDGET/IMPACT:
Neutral; expenditure of $428,195. Funding is from AA320515-531109.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommended action
Motion to approve the recommendation and allow staff to finalize and issue a contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates for the US Highway 27 Area Study Master Plan project, and upon approval by Legal, authorize the Clerk and Chairman to execute the contract under RFQ 25Q-145.
end