Request for Qualifications: Connecting Highland: Access, Neighborhood Growth, Engagement (Project CHANGE)

The City of Gastonia, North Carolina, is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a feasibility and connectivity study called Project CHANGE (Connecting Highland: Access, Neighborhood Growth, Engagement). The project aims to address historic transportation barriers that have divided the Highland community from Downtown Gastonia. The study will evaluate the feasibility of capping the existing Norfolk Southern railroad ditch and improving nearby highways to restore multimodal connectivity, improve access and safety, and expand equitable access to opportunity. The selected consultant will provide comprehensive planning, engineering, public engagement, environmental screening, financial analysis, and implementation strategy services. The scope of work includes: 1. Planning and project management 2. Existing conditions analysis 3. Peer review of national and regional projects 4. Public involvement and community participation plan 5. Technical analysis and feasibility of capping the railroad ditch 6. Access analysis and connectivity study 7. Development scenario analysis 8. Financial feasibility and funding strategy 9. Final feasibility and connectivity study report The project goals and objectives include: * Reconnecting historically divided neighborhoods * Improving mobility, accessibility, and safety * Enhancing economic opportunity * Promoting equitable development * Evaluating multimodal transportation solutions * Conducting robust public and stakeholder engagement * Developing implementable strategies for future capital improvements * Positioning the City for future implementation funding opportunities The project is funded through the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program and is subject to federal requirements, including the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The City is seeking qualified multidisciplinary consulting firms or consultant teams to submit Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) by July 31, 2026. The selection process will be based on qualifications, and the City reserves the right to negotiate a contract with the selected consultant. Key deliverables include: * Project Management Plan * Existing Conditions Report * Peer Review Memorandum * Community Participation Plan * Technical Feasibility Analysis * Final Feasibility and Connectivity Study Report The project aims to address historic injustices and build a more connected, inclusive, and resilient future for the Highland community and the City of Gastonia as a whole.