Solicitation Detail - City of Springfield, MA

Home / Finance & Taxation / Procurement / Available Solicitations / Bid Detail

Bid Detail

13-325 - Redevelopment of 739 Main Street

End date: Friday March 29, 2013 at 2 p.m.

The City of Springfield is requesting proposals for the redevelopment of the vacant lot at 739 Main Street. The City will entertain all offers.

Property is being sold "as is" and the City makes no representations regarding the physical or environmental conditions. The selected developer accepts the property "as is" with no exception.

The City has not made and does not make any representation or warranty as to any matter affecting or relating to the property, including but not limited to the physical condition thereof, and the selected developer acknowledges that no such representation or warranty has been made and agrees to take the property in "as is" condition on the date of this agreement. The City shall not be liable or bound in any manner by any statement, representation, or information pertaining to the property which may have been furnished to the developer by any of the City's employees, attorneys, agents, servants, or other persons.

The property at 739 Main Street is located within the South End neighborhood of Springfield.

The South End is the smallest of the City's seventeen neighborhoods, and is located immediately south of the Central Business District. It contains 196 acres of land, plus streets and railroads. Its boundaries are Union and Howard Streets to the north; Mill Street, Mill River and Main Street to the South; Maple Street to the East; and the Connecticut River to the West. Direct access to I-91 runs through the South End. The neighborhood contains a portion of the Main Street commercial corridor.

The neighborhood also contains the Hollywood/Outing Park Historic Area, which consists of many four-story, multi-family brick apartment buildings built predominantly in the 1920s. These buildings have recently been brought under the ownership of a single entity and are currently undergoing a major rehabilitation, which includes the construction of a small community center for residents.

The Sound End is currently the subject of major redevelopment efforts. This includes the redesign and expansion of Emerson Wight Park. The City and the Springfield Housing Authority were currently co-awarded a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Neighborhood Choice Planning Grant, which is currently underway. Plans for construction of a new South End Community Center, which sustained significant structural damage as a result of the June 1, 2011 tornado, are currently in progress. In addition, a significant amount of State and Federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds have been invested into improving the neighborhood housing stock.

The property is located directly on the Main Street business corridor. It contains approximately 4,346 square feet and is zoned Business B. The assessed value is $80,100. There is a single story building located on the property, that most recently housed an auto parts store.

The City is most interested in proposals that transform the site into a viable, commercial use that will improve not only the property, but the surrounding area. While financial benefits (i.e. price paid for the property) of a proposal are important to the selection of the developer, coupled with all selection criteria, the City will also consider the broader fiscal and economic developments to be realized from the development project. The City will not be obligated to select the proposer offering the highest purchase price if another proposal better satisfies the selection criteria and other requirements of this RFP as a whole.

The City is most interested in proposals that creatively integrate the site with the surrounding area, respecting zoning, and in a manner that creates a viable redevelopment opportunity and enhances the aesthetic appeal of the streetscape. Proposers should be familiar with abutting uses and mindful of such when developing a redevelopment project and program to ensure the project is respectful of existing neighbors.

In addition, the City will score more favorably proposals that include the restoration of the building including re-introducing the historic storefront windows. If the proposed use is for a restaurant, proposers are encouraged to utilize the unique outdoor space in front of the building for outdoor dining.

Automotive related uses will not be permitted (i.e. used car sales, auto repair, etc.) and/or uses that consist primarily of bottle and/or can redemption. Residential uses will not be permitted. All new construction will be required to meet the street-line and any parking must be placed in the rear of the building.

Full site plan review by the Office of Planning & Economic Development will be required and approval of re-use and/or construction plans is at the sole discretion of the City of Springfield. The City reserves the right to impose additional re-use restrictions as it deems necessary.

All bidders are buying property subject to all current zoning and building restrictions. Changes to the use of the property may require a variance. The City makes no representations regarding success of variances and/or specials permit applications.

Property is being sold "as is" and the City makes no representations regarding the physical or environmental conditions. The selected developer accepts the property "as is" with no exception.

If a nonprofit organization is chosen preferred developer, it will be expected to enter into an agreement with the City to make an annual in-lieu-of-tax payment, the amount of which will be fifty percent (50%) of the tax that would otherwise be paid by a for-profit venture.

This Request for Proposals is for the real property only. All contents of the property and any personal property therein may not be included in this sale at the discretion of the City of Springfield.

The City of Springfield has made all efforts to ensure that the information is accurate. However, it is the buyer's responsibility to investigate to their satisfaction any matter as it may relate to the property.