Study Session Memo

City of Boulder City Council Study Session Summary Meeting Date: September 17, 2026 Agenda Title Consideration of a motion to accept the August 13, 2026, Study Session Summary regarding Civic Area East Bookend Development Partnership Request For Proposal

Staff Contact • • •

Shihomi Kuriyagawa, Senior Landscape Architect, Parks and Recreation Department Mark Woulf, Assistant City Manager, City Manager’s Office Alison Rhodes, Director, Parks and Recreation Department

Draft Motion Language Staff requests council consideration of this matter and action in the form of the following motion: Motion to accept the August 13, 2026, Study Session Summary regarding Civic Area East Bookend Development Partnership RFP.

Presentation Summary Staff provided an overview of the upcoming Civic Area Development Partnership process and highlighted considerations related to site planning efforts within the project area. Staff sought to inform council about the Request for Proposals (RFP) and the role council will have in the future for this development partnership. This update was informational only, and while no formal action was requested, staff sought input and feedback on the development partnership process. Study Session Memo (Agenda Item content - Page 34)

Questions for Council and Direction Received Below are discussion items council asked in response to associated questions: 1. Does council have any questions or feedback on the Civic Area Development Partnership RFP process? 2. Does Council support the goals of the partnership and staff’s recommendation to move forward with the release of the RFP? •

Who will be on selection committee for the RFP process? Recommendation to include Downtown business owners in partner selection process. Staff is currently formulating the selection committee. The Memorandum of Understanding with Boulder County Farmer’s Market includes a BCFM representative as a key partner in reviewing proposals. Council will have the opportunity to review the selected partner prior to finalization.

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What conversations have taken place with Boulder Police Department (BPD), Park Rangers, and downtown stakeholders about real and perceived safety risks? Previous engagement windows around park development included conversations with BPD, Park Rangers, Safe and Managed Public Safety (SAMPS) Team, and downtown community groups. Investments into Boulder Creek Park and the Civic Area Bookend Development aim to create more activation and positive use of the space. Concern is noted and the topic will be discussed with development partner through the concept planning phase.

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How are developer teams assembled and what would it look like to include a party interested in a particular building, site, or sub area of the overall development area? The project website hosts a sign-up form for Arts and Culture interest groups, businesses, organizations, and community groups who would be interested in partnering on this project. This list will be available to the developer team to utilize in their proposals. Link to sign-up form.

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What if a proposal is interested in opportunities outside of the development area outlined in the RFP? While the team is including the West Bookend due to interest from Request for Interest (RFI) submittals, other areas of the Civic Area are not considered at this moment. A wide range of creative uses of the available sites will be considered in relation to clear development partnership goals.

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Is the Arboretum Path being explored as a part of this development partnership opportunity? The Arboretum Path is currently outside of the scope of both Boulder Creek Park Phase 2 improvements, and the Civic Area Development Partnership. Active ongoing conversations seek to identify opportunities to invest in the Arboretum Path.

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Does the RFP require a project phasing approach? The RFP does not seek a recommended phasing approach at this time. Proposers are allowed to consider phasing through the concept planning process but at this time they are not required to submit a detailed development plan that could determine project phasing for the RFP.

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Recommendation: Find opportunities for community members of varying income levels to participate in the proposed development and activation. Recommendation noted.

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Recommendation: Consider long term operations and maintenance strategy, financial stewardship and management, and overall cost of ownership. Recommendation noted.

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Direction Received: This item was informational only and an opportunity to receive general feedback from City Council rather than specific approval or direction. Council supported the partnership goals and release of the RFP.

Next Steps for City Council Next steps for council include: -

Review of development partnership and predevelopment agreement: early 2027 Review and input for final Concept Plan: late 2027 Development Review process: tentatively in 2028 *All dates are tentative and pending project milestone changes

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