April 21, 2026

General:
The Town of Clifton Forge (hereafter “Clifton Forge”) is soliciting proposals and statements of
qualification from qualified firms to prepare a Downtown Master Plan. The plan will provide a
comprehensive roadmap for revitalization, economic development, and preservation of the downtown
district.

This effort is supported by the Town of Clifton Forge and its partners and is intended to
strengthen downtown’s role as the cultural, civic, and economic heart of the community.

Background & Project Description:
Clifton Forge is a historic railroad town located in the Alleghany Highlands of Virginia. Its
downtown is characterized by a collection of early- to mid-20th century commercial buildings, a
traditional main street corridor, and various cultural amenities.

The downtown has experienced both periods of investment and decline. While many historic structures
remain intact, vacancy, underutilized properties, aging infrastructure, and shifting economic
trends have created challenges. Revitalizing downtown Clifton Forge is critical to preserving its
cultural heritage while fostering new economic opportunity.

The Downtown Master Plan will:

1. Provide a vision and framework for downtown revitalization, building on the downtown district’s
   character and unique assets.
2. Identify opportunities for economic restructuring to attract and retain businesses,
   entrepreneurs, and tourism.
3. Evaluate streetscape, pedestrian, and connectivity improvements to enhance walkability and
   public safety.
4. Assess key historic buildings and underutilized properties for redevelopment or adaptive reuse.
5. Develop a Prioritized Improvement Plan identifying projects, costs, funding sources, and
   timelines to guide implementation.

Statement of Needs:
The consultant shall provide:

1. Economic Restructuring Plan

• Visioning and preliminary design concepts for façade improvements, streetscape enhancements,
  pedestrian amenities, and connectivity.
• Building and blight inventory (including photographs and property descriptions).
• Identification of business development opportunities.
• Cost estimates and funding strategies.

2. Preliminary Engineering Report

• Recommendations for pedestrian safety, ADA accessibility, public space enhancements, and
  connectivity between key downtown assets.

3. Architectural Assessment of Key Buildings

• Identification and preliminary analysis of anchor buildings for potential redevelopment or
  adaptive reuse.

4. Prioritized Improvement Plan

• A written plan with recommended projects, cost estimates, potential funding sources, maps, and
  implementation timeline.

The consultant will be expected to work closely with Town staff, the Project Steering Committee,
community stakeholders, and state/federal partners.

Proposal Submission:
To be considered, proposals must be submitted to:
Maria Saxton, Director of Planning & Community Development Town of Clifton Forge
547 Main Street, Clifton Forge, VA 24422 Email: msaxton@cliftonforgeva.gov

Proposals must be received no later than 4:00 PM on May 21, 2026.
Email submissions must include the subject line: “Downtown Clifton Forge, VA Master Plan”.

Proposal Requirements:
Firm must demonstrate the following:

• Relevant experience and expertise in downtown master planning.
• Qualified staff and technical capacity to meet project timelines and deliverables.
• A satisfactory performance record on similar past projects.
• Inclusion of a detailed scope, timeframe for completion, and non-binding cost estimate.
• Up to three references from similar past projects.
  

Project Timeline:
RFP Release: April 21, 2026
Questions Due: May 8, 2026
Proposals Due: May 21, 2026
Selection and Contract Execution: June-July 2026

Conditions of the Request:
This RFP does not commit the Town to award a contract or to pay any costs incurred in the
preparation of a response. The Town reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, in
part or in whole, and to cancel or amend this solicitation as needed in the best interest of the
Town.

Evaluation Criteria:
Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Qualifications and experience with similar projects
• Understanding of downtown master planning
• Clarity and feasibility of proposed approach and schedule
• Cost-effectiveness
• Capacity to complete the work on time and within budget

Contract Terms:
All disagreements or disputes arising from this agreement shall be resolved under the laws and
jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Town may terminate the contract for cause or
convenience under the terms outlined in the final agreement. The selected firm must agree to
indemnify and hold harmless the Town of Clifton Forge for all liabilities arising from its
performance.