Bid Detail

15-095 - RFP: Redevelopment of Oak Street Fire Station in Indian Orchard

The City of Springfield (hereafter "CITY") is requesting proposals for the redevelopment of E S Oak Street Indian Orchard formerly known as the Oak Street Fire Station in the Indian Orchard Section of Springfield, MA. This is a City owned property enhanced by a two story brick building including a basement. The Oak Street Station is the parcel that sits on the corner of Oak Street and Berkshire Street Indian Orchard. The parcel # is 09182 - 0219 and it is a 13,500 Square foot lot zoned as Residential B. The total area of the building is approximately 11,732 square feet and assessed at $230,600.

IMPORTANT: The City commissioned a reuse study of fire stations, including this property. To view the report online visit here:

http://www3.springfield-ma.gov/planning/fileadmin/Planning_files/Economic_Development/New_Use_for_Fire_Stations.pdf

The property E S Oak Street is a visible property that sits on a main intersection in Springfield. Located in the northeastern corner of Springfield, the Indian Orchard neighborhood is the fifth largest of Springfield's seventeen neighborhoods. It contains 1251 acres of land plus rights of way and bodies of water. Principal boundaries are the Chicopee River to the north, the Boston & Albany Railroad to the south, the Town of Wilbraham to the east, and portions of Brookdale Drive, the Athol rail line and Worcester Street to the west. There are over 100 acres of parks and other open areas in Indian Orchard. Over half of this amount is located in Hubbard Park.
Among the signature features of the neighborhood are the so-called "kettle hole lakes," water holes formed from natural glacial deposits which are unconnected to other bodies of water.

The property is approximately one mile to the Massachusetts Interstate 90 in Ludlow and three and a half miles to the 291 on ramp in Springfield.

The property is being sold "as is" and the City makes no representations regarding the environmental and/or physical condition of the properties and will require the buyer to assume responsibility for these conditions. Prospective developers should undertake their own reviews and reach their own conclusions concerning zoning, title and survey matters, required approvals, physical conditions, environmental conditions, reuse potential, utility services and development, leasehold, legal and other considerations. Proposers are responsible for making their own determinations of existing conditions.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

As a standard procedure, the CITY has not made and does not make any representation or warranty as to any matter affecting or relating to this or any parcel for disposition, and the selected developer acknowledges that no such representation or warranty has been made and
agrees to take the site 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 facilities which may have been furnished to the developer by any of the City's employees, attorneys, agents, servants or other persons.

The selected developer will have a fair and complete opportunity to inspect the parcel and accepts it "as is" with no exception. The selected developer agrees to indemnify the CITY, and hold the CITY harmless, from all damages, losses, and liabilities (including without limitation attorneys' and experts' reasonable fees and disbursement) arising under federal and state environmental statutes and regulations as a result of a relating to any conditions or activities at or involving the location.

As noted, the City did not complete an asbestos and hazardous materials remediation process as part of the redevelopment.

SPRINGFIELD PROFILE

Springfield is located along the Connecticut River 25 miles from Hartford, Conn.; 50 miles from Worcester; 80 miles from Albany, N.Y.; 85 miles from Providence, R.I.; 90 miles from Boston; and 140 miles from New York City.

Springfield has a notable history. It was the home of Theodore Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, and is the location of the Springfield Museum Quadrangle, which includes the Dr. Seuss sculpture garden. It is also the birthplace of basketball, invented by James Naismith at Springfield College, and home to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Other points of interest include the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, Springfield Symphony Hall, CityStage, the Artists at Indian Orchard Mills complex, the Community Music School and many other arts and cultural attractions. The Springfield Museums, located on the State Street Corridor, house one of the most comprehensive collections of Currier & Ives prints in the world, and the G.W. Vincent Smith Art Museum at the Quadrangle holds one of the Western world's largest collections of Chinese cloisonné. The American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons franchise is based in Springfield, as is the league's headquarters. The City is also home to its own symphony - the Springfield Symphony Orchestra is the largest professional orchestra in Massachusetts outside of Boston, and has been existence for 70 years.

From its earliest beginnings Springfield had its roots in industry. In 1776, a national arsenal was sited within Springfield, and, in 1794, it was designated by Congress as the first National Armory. With the dawning of the Industrial Revolution, Springfield experienced growth across a spectrum of manufactured goods: handguns, railroad cars, motorcycles and cars.

Beyond its distinctive historical roots, the City is home to four colleges: Springfield College, American International College (AIC), Western New England University and Springfield Technical Community College (STCC), with a combined enrollment of nearly 20,000 students. Cambridge College has a downtown center located at Tower Square, and UMASS Amherst has opened its own center at the same location this fall. The City is engaged in an economic and cultural partnership with Hartford, Conn., known as the Springfield-Hartford region constitutes New England's Knowledge Corridor, with the second-largest concentration of institutions of higher learning in New England, outside Boston.

Major and prominent employers in the City include the world headquarters of MassMutual Financial Group - which is located on State Street; Liberty Mutual also on State Street; Baystate Health; Mercy Health System; Big Y World Class Markets; Peter Pan Bus Lines; Smith & Wesson; Milton Bradley and Merriam-Webster. Baystate Health completed a $296 million expansion, in 2012, and will create more than 500 new jobs on the 54-acre Baystate Medical Center campus located in the North End of the City. BMC is also the western campus of Tufts University School of Medicine. Baystate is currently the City's largest employer with over 9,200 local employees.

Springfield is the third largest City in Massachusetts and fourth largest in New England (behind Boston, Providence, and Worcester). Springfield is commonly known as the City of Homes for its vast stock and variety of historic architecture and housing styles, and as the City of Firsts for its being the home to many "firsts," such as the birth of basketball, the nation's first Armory, the first motorcycle, and the first gasoline-powered commercial car.

There are proposed plans to link downtown Springfield via frequent commuter rail service to Hartford, New Haven and points thereafter including New York City. These locales are already served by Amtrak rail, with daily trips from Springfield.

SITE AND SYSTEMS INFORMATION, STREET ADDRESS

This is a City owned property enhanced by a two story brick building that once was occupied as a fire station. The Oak Street Station is the parcel that sits on the corner of Oak Street and Berkshire Street in Indian Orchard. The parcel # is 09182 - 0219 and it is a 13,500 Square foot lot zoned as Residential B. The total area of the building is approximately 11,732 square feet and assessed at $230,600.

DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT

The City is seeking to select a developer who submits the most advantageous proposal consistent with the selection criteria and proposal requirements set forth in this RFP, and who demonstrates the ability to perform as proposed in a timely fashion.

While the financial benefits (i.e., price paid for the property) of a proposal are important to the selection of a developer, coupled with all selection criteria, the City will also consider the broader fiscal and economic benefits to be realized from the redevelopment 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 that creates a viable redevelopment opportunity and enhance 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. As mentioned before the parcel is zoned as residential B; any other use will require a zone change. This would be up to the developer to investigate any changes in zoning.

The City envisions a development that incorporates any reasonable proposals which could include some or all of the following elements:

• Creating jobs for Springfield residents
• Featuring and preserving historic features and attributes of the property
• Creating positive street level activity on Oak and Berkshire Street.
• Firm financing letters or proof of funding to undertake redevelopment costs
• Timeline to have building occupied

DEVELOPMENT CONDITIONS

• The designated developer, its agents, consultants, engineers, other contractors and designees will be granted a right of entry to advance its due diligence activities, subject to providing the City in advance with certificates of insurance evidencing that such parties have in place reasonable amounts of comprehensive general liability and workers compensation insurance for their activities on the premises.

• The designated developer should give the City 48 hours notice of any required entry to the property.

• An exterior preservation restriction shall be set on the property in perpetuity. As such, any exterior building alterations doors will require approval of the Springfield Historical Commission.

• The property is being sold in as-is condition, and the designated developer will take responsibility for any and all environmental conditions upon transfer.

• The City will require a certificate of occupancy within 365 days of the transfer of property to the designated developer or the property will revert back to the City.

• Prior to property transfer, the designated developer will produce financial commitment documentation for the value of the project from its lenders and/or funding sources.

• Prior to closing, the designated developer will produce a detailed project schedule and final floor plans for the building.

• The Office of Planning & Economic Development will maintain a Site Plan approval of final landscaping/parking on-site plans. No tree removal or other landscaping or site plan alterations should be made prior to this approval.

Restrictions and Requirements

• The property will be conveyed with a reverter clause which will require completion of development within twelve (12) months of conveyance of the deed and which will require to be occupied by an owner within twelve (12) months.

• Automotive related uses will not be permitted (i.e. used or new car sales, auto repair, etc.).

G. PRICE PROPOSAL

The City will entertain all competitive bids for the property. Price will not be the only factor in selection, but proposers are encouraged to make the best financial benefit case possible to the City and selection committee. The property is currently assessed at $230,600.

ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

The anticipated schedule is as follows:

October 08, 2014 RFP advertise in Springfield Republican
October 8 2014 RFP advertise in MA Central Register
October 8, 2014 RFP issued
October 15, 2014 Site walk (10 AM)
October 22, 2014 RFP questions due by 4:00 PM
October 29, 2014 RFP questions answered
November 12, 2014 Proposals due by 2:00 PM to Procurement Office
November, 2014 Proposals Reviewed
November, 2014 Committee's Recommendation to Mayor
December, 2014 Preferred developer selected

Schedule may be modified as needed at the discretion of the City. Bidders will be notified of any changes by a written addendum. All changes must go through the Office of Procurement.

PRE-PROPOSAL ASSISTANCE/QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

The site is on a major public throughway and can be viewed from the public sidewalks at anytime. Interested parties are asked not to enter the private property at any time, other than the designated site walks. Attachments include further information on the property.

Questions regarding the RFP may be submitted in writing to the Procurement Department. In order to provide prompt answers to questions, the City requests that all proposers submit written questions to the City of Springfield's, Chief Procurement Officer by October 22, 2014 by 4:00 P.M. EST. Questions may be faxed or emailed. The Procurement Department's fax number is (413) 787-6295 email: Lauren Stabilo at lstabilo@springfieldcityhall.com. The City will compile written answers which will be mailed to all Proposers who requested a copy of the RFP, no later than October 29, 2014.

To maintain a fair and impartial competitive process, the City will only answer written questions submitted to the Procurement office. Private communication is not allowed with any RFP Review Committee Member or member of the Office of Planning and Economic Development or other City staff during the proposal preparation and evaluation period. Proposers who initiate private communication or attempt to violate the process outlined herein will be disqualified.

Available Solicitations

As of 1:04 am Saturday, April 20, 2024

24-222 - For Sale: Redevelopment Boston & Albany Railroad at Factory Road/Hendee Street
End date: Monday May 13, 2024 at 2 p.m.

24-221 - Mary O. Pottenger School Parking Lot Improvement Project
End date: Thursday May 2, 2024 at 2 p.m.

24-220 - Frank H Freedman School Parking Lot Improvement Project
End date: Thursday May 2, 2024 at 2 p.m.

24-219 - Daniel B. Brunton School Parking Lot Improvement Project
End date: Thursday May 2, 2024 at 2 p.m.

24-180 - Roadway & Sidewalk Improvements - Arterial and Residential Streets including Sidewalks
End date: Wednesday May 1, 2024 at 2 p.m.

24-205 - Request for Proposals for Springfield's 2024 Public Mural Program
End date: Monday April 29, 2024 at 2 p.m.

24-226 - Flooring Installation at Mary O. Pottenger Elementary School
End date: Friday April 26, 2024 at 2 p.m.

24-225 - Abatement at Mary O. Pottenger Elementary School
End date: Thursday April 25, 2024 at 2 p.m.

24-224 - Abatement at Samuel Bowles Elementary School
End date: Thursday April 25, 2024 at 2 p.m.

24-223 - Abatement at Springfield Public Day Middle School
End date: Thursday April 25, 2024 at 2 p.m.

24-203 - RFP: Review and Update of Historical District Guidelines, Policies and Procedures
End date: Wednesday April 24, 2024 at 2 p.m.

24-213 - Purchase of Bituminous Concrete
End date: Tuesday April 23, 2024 at 2 p.m.

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