Escondido 2040 'Infrastructure Leading Land Use'

The City of Escondido is seeking a multidisciplinary consultant team for the Escondido 2040 program, a comprehensive planning initiative valued at 2.25 million dollars. Operating under the guiding principle that infrastructure should lead land use, the project aims to update the General Plan's Land Use and Mobility/Infrastructure elements, as well as five Master Plans covering water, wastewater, stormwater, transportation, and parks, trails, and open space. Additionally, the scope includes updating the Downtown and South Centre City Specific Plans, conducting housing market feasibility and downtown parking studies, and managing all necessary CEQA environmental reviews and public engagement strategies. The program is structured as a two-year initiative divided into two overlapping phases. Year one, running from November 2026 to November 2027, focuses on technical studies, infrastructure modeling, and initial Master Plan and General Plan work. Year two, spanning July 2027 to July 2028, centers on completing General Plan and Specific Plan updates, final CEQA documentation, and implementation planning. The contract will be awarded to a single bidder based on the strongest overall value rather than the lowest cost. Selected consultants must adhere to strict quality assurance and control standards and are prohibited from uploading nonpublic City information to public AI platforms. Payment is structured on a monthly basis with Net 30 terms, subject to annual fiscal year appropriations. The successful firm must maintain a City of Escondido Business License and comply with California prevailing wage laws. Proposals are due by September 4, 2026, and must be submitted in a searchable PDF format to the Principal Planner.