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16-157 - Redevelopment ES Oak Street IO (Former IO Fire Station)

End date: Thursday May 26, 2016 at 2 p.m.

The City of Springfield (hereafter \"CITY\") is requesting proposals for the redevelopment of ES 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 $231,800.

For proposers seeking to propose other than residential a zoning change will be required but the development of onsite parking will be required.

The property, ES 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 Turnpike 90 in Ludlow and three and a half miles to 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.

SITE AND SYSTEMS INFORMATION, STREET ADDRESS

This is a City owned property that is 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 $231,800.

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:

ï¿½ Creating jobs for Springfield residents
ï¿½ Featuring and preserving historic features and attributes of the property
ï¿½ Creating positive street level activity on Oak and Berkshire Street.
ï¿½ Firm financing letters or proof of funding to undertake redevelopment costs
ï¿½ Timeline to have building occupied

DEVELOPMENT CONDITIONS

ï¿½ 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.

ï¿½ The designated developer should give the City 48 hours notice of any required entry to the property.

ï¿½ An exterior preservation restriction shall be set on the property in perpetuity. As such, any exterior building alterations including the removal of the two large front garage doors will require approval of the Springfield Historical Commission.

ï¿½ The property is being sold in as-is condition, and the designated developer will take responsibility for any and all environmental conditions upon transfer.

ï¿½ 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.

ï¿½ 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.

ï¿½ Prior to closing, the designated developer will produce a detailed project schedule and final floor plans for the building.

ï¿½ 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

ï¿½ 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 the same twelve (12) months period.

ï¿½ Automotive related uses will not be permitted (i.e. used or new car sales, auto repair, etc.) and or uses that consist primarily of bottle and or can redemption. Interior auto storage will be permitted.

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.