REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: Manchester Climbing Wall

Manchester Climbing Wall is a project to convert an unused bridge support structure near Riverfront Park on the North Shore into a public access climbing wall. This project will add a distinctive twist to Pittsburgh’s historical built environment and the outdoor activities on the river’s edge.

Opportunity

In order to meet the demand of a population of increasingly active citizens, Pittsburgh is in need of more options for outdoor recreation. Utilizing the built environment presents an opportunity to address this need and simultaneously refurbish sites otherwise unused and neglected.

Scope

Proposals are not limited to this description and may also include programmatic elements, websites, marketing, and other activities that enhance the effectiveness of the initiative.

Manchester Climbing Wall should:

• Secure all necessary permission to access the site
• Conduct a structural/safety evaluation of the wall as a climbing structure
• See to the safe installation of necessary equipment
• Build an base of participation for the activity
• Connect the activity to the community
• Promote the attraction to a wide audience

Project Managers will be responsible for the following outcomes:

• Physical inspection to verify structural integrity of the wall
• Installation of climbing safety equipment
• Promotion of the wall to the climbing community
• A series of safe and supervised climbing-day events open to the public

Funding Range

Funding for this project will cover the assessment, installation and promotion of the Manchester Climbing Wall. Sprout will consider funding requests of up to $10,000 for this project.

Request for Proposals (RFP)

The Sprout Fund invites community members to submit their approach to this proposed project, one of five identified during the Engage Pittsburgh initiative. Proposals should present an innovative and effective realization of the idea described in this request. If awarded, the successful project team will be engaged to implement their proposal.

Proposals will be evaluated according to the answers to the questions asked and each applicant’s ability to fulfill the project requirements and achieve the desired outcomes described in the RFP.

PROPOSALS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN 5PM THURSDAY MAY 24, 2007.

To learn the history of this idea see the previous iterations in The Top 20, or go even further back to The Big Idea Book