RFP – Design and Installation of Green Stormwater Infrastructure

Request for Proposal (RFP)

Bethany Lutheran Church and Redford Theatre Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Parking Lot Bioretention Design and Construction

Issue Date: January 26, 2026

Proposal Due Date: February 13, 2026 by 5 PM

1. Overview

Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) are a persistent environmental and public health challenge in the City of Detroit. During wet weather events, lack of capacity in the city’s combined sanitary and storm sewer system can lead to discharge of untreated or partially treated sanitary sewage to local waterbodies, where it contributes to ongoing water quality impairments in the Detroit and Rouge Rivers. Untreated CSOs represent a significant public health concern due to the loading of pollutants – such as fecal coliforms, E. coli, nutrients, and suspended solids – to surface waterbodies. These pollutants also have detrimental impacts on the aquatic ecosystem by decreasing dissolved oxygen and contributing to downstream eutrophication issues. Furthermore, CSOs create aesthetic impairments in waterbodies from discoloration, unpleasant smells, and the presence of sanitary debris. In Southeast Michigan, these impairments have a disproportionate impact on low-income communities and communities of color, due to the location of CSO outfalls in proximity to these communities and a historical lack of investment toward addressing CSO issues in low-income areas. These impacts are compounded by an increase in the number of large storm events, which often trigger CSOs, as a result of climate change.

This project will directly address these issues by implementing GSI Best Management Practices (BMPs) in priority areas for managing CSOs in the City of Detroit on several properties of community-based organizations. Designs for these projects will leverage site concepts created through the City of Detroit’s Capital Partnership Program, which developed customized stormwater management plans to generate stormwater credits for site owners via the implementation of GSI. Friends of the Rouge (FOTR), who has an extensive profile of green infrastructure work in Detroit and has previously been engaged in helping property owners at these sites implement GSI practices, will work with Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Nonpoint Source (NPS) Program staff to provide overall project coordination, including communication with local partners, selection of contractors, and planning/coordination for community and volunteer events. They will also be responsible for developing the planting plans and species lists for bioretention BMPs and short-term maintenance activities. Long term maintenance (outside of grant scope) will be performed by site property owners, in accordance with maintenance plans developed during the project. Engineering designs and construction services will be provided by contractors chosen through a competitive bid process.

The overall goal of this project is to reduce flow to the combined sewer and subsequently improve water quality through the implementation of GSI. FOTR will implement GSI BMPs at 3 project sites in the City of Detroit, including 6 bioretention areas, 1 permeable paver system, and pavement removal in contributing areas. These projects will be located in high-priority areas for GSI implementation to support CSO reduction activities. Where possible, projects will be designed to the required basis of design for EGLE Nonpoint Source Program grants, in order to optimize impact on CSO reduction and water quality benefits.

Bethany Lutheran Church (11475 Outer Drive E, Detroit) – this project will install 2 bioretention practices near the right-of-way area at the Bethany Lutheran Church, a large Lutheran parish on Detroit’s East Side. These practices will capture flow rerouted from a parking lot through regrading. Additionally, pavement removal will occur in the contributing areas to these BMPs to promote stormwater management capacity. The bioretention practices will be designed to capture the pre-post settlement runoff difference for a 2-year, 24-hour storm event, resulting in a stormwater capture volume of up to 7,480 gallons per storm event. This will result in an estimated annual volume capture of 179,000 gallons each year. For bioretention practices, overflow structures will be installed and perforated underdrains used to ensure adequate capacity and promote infiltration under variable local soil conditions.

Redford Theatre (17360 Lahser Rd, Detroit) – this project will install a single bioretention practice at Redford Theatre, a historic structure and community gathering place in Detroit’s Old Redford Neighborhood. This practice will be designed to capture the pre-post settlement runoff difference for a 2-year, 24-hour storm event, resulting in a stormwater capture volume of up to 25,000 gallons per storm event. This will yield an estimated annual volume capture of 500,000 gallons each year. The existing parking lot will be regraded to route stormwater to the practice as part of a planned parking lot retrofit. An overflow structure will be installed and perforated underdrains used to ensure adequate capacity and promote infiltration under variable local soil conditions.

2. Project Location

Bethany Lutheran Church
11475 Outer Dr E, Detroit, MI 48224

Redford Theatre
17360 Lahser Rd, Detroit 48219

3. Scope of Work

Site #1 – Bethany Lutheran Church (11475 Outer Drive E, Detroit) – this project will install 2 bioretention practices near the right-of-way area at the Bethany Lutheran Church, a large Lutheran parish on Detroit’s East Side. These practices will capture flow rerouted from a parking lot through regrading. Additionally, pavement removal will occur in the contributing areas to these BMPs to promote stormwater management capacity. The bioretention practices will be designed to capture the pre-post settlement runoff difference for a 2-year, 24-hour storm event, resulting in a stormwater capture volume of up to 7,480 gallons per storm event. This will result in an estimated annual volume capture of 179,000 gallons each year. For bioretention practices, overflow structures will be installed and perforated underdrains used to ensure adequate capacity and promote infiltration under variable local soil conditions.

Site #2 – Redford Theatre (17360 Lahser Rd, Detroit) – this project will install a single bioretention practice at Redford Theatre, a historic structure and community gathering place in Detroit’s Old Redford Neighborhood. This practice will be designed to capture the pre-post settlement runoff difference for a 2-year, 24-hour storm event, resulting in a stormwater capture volume of up to 25,000 gallons per storm event. This will yield an estimated annual volume capture of 500,000 gallons each year. The existing parking lot will be regraded to route stormwater to the practice as part of a planned parking lot retrofit. An overflow structure will be installed and perforated underdrains used to ensure adequate capacity and promote infiltration under variable local soil conditions.

The selected consultant or firm will:

• Complete engineering designs for BMPs and pavement removal at Bethany Lutheran and Redford Theatre. Participate in 3 community input sessions (1 at Bethany Lutheran and 2 at Redford Theatre) and incorporate the input into the final designs.
• Obtain all required permits for project activities. Local permits may be required for projects that involve modification or use of existing infrastructure in design.
• Procure material for the construction of the BMPs (excluding the plant material).
• Construct GSI BMPs according to approved plans.

Friends of the Rouge will:

• Plan and facilitate the community input session.
• Oversee design and construction contact.
• Create the planting plans and species lists.
• Submit the construction documents for EGLE review. Note: EGLE requires a nine week review period to review and approve the construction/engineering documents.
• Procure plant material.
• Plant the prepared bioretention areas with volunteers from the community.

4. Reference Documents

Reference documents and metrics are provided for reference only. Selected contractor to verify all calculations and measurements.

5. Proposal Requirements

Friends of the Rouge seeks proposals for design and construction the upcoming GSI projects at Bethany Lutheran Church and Redford Theatre. Complete proposals must include:

• Background and Relevant Experience
• Project Team Qualifications
• Design and Implementation Approach
• Timeline
• Detailed Cost Estimate, broken down by design vs. construction
• At least Two Project References

6. Submission Instructions

1. Bid date: All proposals must be received by 5 PM eastern time on Friday, February 13, 2026.
2. Submission Instructions: Submit bids via email to: Cyndi Ross, cross@therouge.org with “Bethany Lutheran Church and Redford Theatre GSI Design and Installation bid” in the subject line.
3. Bid Opening: Bids will be reviewed and opened privately, the results of which may or may not be disclosed at Friends of the Rouge and EGLE’s discretion and with no liability to the bidders.

7. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Experience designing bioretention basins in urban settings.
• Familiarity with EGLE/EPA/GLRI requirements.
• Demonstrated stormwater management expertise.
• Cost-effectiveness.
• Ability to meet timeline and grant reporting requirements.
• Quality of prior work and references.
• Friends of the Rouge is not obligated to accept the lowest or any other bid. FOTR reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any informality in the Proposals.

8. Anticipated Project Timeline (Subject to Change)

• RFP Issued: January 26, 2026
• Questions: January 30, 2026
• Proposal Due: February 13, 2026 at 5 PM
• Selection Notification: February 20, 2026
• Design Phase Complete: May 15, 2026
• Construction complete: September 11, 2026

9. Funding Acknowledgement

This project is funded by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) through the Green Infrastructure to Reduce Stormwater Runoff in Detroit Communities initiative, supported by the U.S. EPA Great Lakes
Restoration Initiative (GLRI).

10. Contact for Questions

For more information, contact: Cyndi Ross | cross@therouge.org | 734.927.4905