RFP 01-8101-2026 City of Williamsburg Comprehensive Plan Update

Since the last current Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2021, the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including shifts in retail demand, varying consumer habits, evolving work patterns, and demographic changes, have created challenges and considerations that warrant a strategic and forward-thinking reassessment of the city’s vision, policies, and goals. Public opinion regarding proposed housing development and documented housing needs in all categories of affordability and income has underscored the importance of reviewing the city’s capacity for growth. This plan will aim to better understand the diverse needs and vision of residents, businesses, corporations, and the city’s two major landowners and institutions, William & Mary and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Based on this understanding, the plan will resolve to preserve the city’s history and uniqueness and develop cohesive land use, economic, and infrastructure policies that support the city's long-term growth and sustainability.The ideal consultant team will demonstrate a proven ability to foster meaningful, innovative community engagement that is thoughtfully tailored to meet the diverse communication needs of Williamsburg’s population. This will include various forms of interactive community meetings in strategic locations to improve opportunities for input. Such meetings may include design charettes, focus groups, interactive neighborhood gatherings, and public forums. Consultants would also be responsible for launching and maintaining an interactive online input platform for residents and stakeholders to share opinions on topics and plan elements as they evolve. The updated Comprehensive Plan must protect and enhance Williamsburg’s unique character and be aligned with the City’s vision to courageously lead and innovate as a modern city, prioritizing safety and wellness, fostering partnerships, and maintaining global connectivity. The updated plan should include the following.SCOPE OF WORKThe City Council expects this plan to be a true comprehensive consideration of planning topics with a 25-year horizon. This means a deliverable that contains numerous new strategies and plans that work seamlessly together. The contractor will work under the direction of the Director of Planning and Codes Compliance, Planning Staff, as designated, and the Williamsburg Planning Commission. In addition to the standard elements required in a Comprehensive Plan, as outlined in the Code of Virginia Sections 15.2-2223, 15.2-2223.2, 15.2-2223.3, 15.2-2223.5, the updated plan will address the following areas:1. Connectivity2. Demographic Analysis3. Economic Development Strategy & Market Analysis4. Housing: Neighborhood and Community Character, Creating a Sense of Place5. Infrastructure Capacity6. Parking7. Public Health and Planning8. Resilience 9. Street Network Analysis and Complete Streets Policy10. Transportation Plan Evaluation and Improvement Recommendation