Bid Detail

22-044 - Purchase & Redevelopment of Pine and Walnut Street Parcels

The City of Springfield is requesting proposals for the redevelopment of the Pine and Walnut Street parcels. This site is located in Springfield’s Six Corners neighborhood, and consists of three City owned parcels that combined equal 12,837 sq. ft., and is assessed at $21,330.

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 INFORMATION
The site consists of three separate City owned properties which are being sold as a unit. Proposals seeking to separate the parcels will not be considered. The combined property is currently assessed at $21,330 and is being sold as one unit.

Number Area Assessed Value Zoning
119520037 3,502 sq. ft. $ 39,700 B1
119520038 2,570 sq. ft. $ 2,490 B1
097150205 6,765 sq. ft. $ 18,840 R2
Combined 12,837 sq. ft. $ 21,330

Located in the heart of one of Springfield’s most historic neighborhoods, the Pine and Walnut Street parcels are located on a highly visible intersection in Six Corners. Various local amenities exist within easy walking distance of the property and the neighborhood has experienced a concentrated level of investment by the City and its private partnerships.

- New Elias Brookings Elementary School (433 Walnut St). Opened in 2015 as a replacement to the old school damaged in the 2011 tornado. This 3 story, 64,400 sq. ft. facility represents $27.9 million investment in the area. And serves over 330 students from the surrounding neighborhoods.

- Barrows Park Improvements (131 Walnut St.) Renovated in 2018, as part of $340,400 city-wide investment in the City’s park facilities.

- Mason Wright Retirement Community (74 Walnut St.) Founded in 1892, this vibrant senior living community with 118 units, is deeply invested in the surrounding community. The facility recently completed a $1.5 million renovation in 2019. The four-acre campus is home to some 126 residents.

- Educare Springfield (100 Hickory St). Opened in 2020 and representing a $14.4 million investment, this 27,000 sq. ft. facility supports 141 children, ages 5+, by providing early childhood programs for underserved families. One of only 24 such partnerships in the entire country, and the first of its kind in the Commonwealth, Educare is a collaboration with HeadStart and Springfield College.

- Six Corners roundabout (321 Walnut St.) Completed in 2020, this $4.1 million redesign increased pedestrian and bicycle safety while becoming a focal point of the neighborhood.

- Central Street Corridor Improvement Project. Scheduled to be completed in late summer 2021, represents a $3 million renovation and realignment of Central Street, providing much needed roadway improvements, and better accessibility for neighborhood.

- Ruth Elizabeth Park (468 Walnut St.) With an anticipated completion date of summer-2021, this park has received $450,000 worth of investment for redevelopment and expansion, in tandem with the Central Street Corridor Improvement Project, including new pavilion, playground, and other amenities.

- Former Elias Brookings Elementary School (367 Hancock St.) The former elementary school damaged in the 2011 tornado, now being re-developed into a 42-unit apartment complex, representing $20 million investment with an anticipated completion of mid-2022.

- Watershops Pond Dam/ Lake Massasoit Resilience Upgrades (1 Allen St.) Federally funded upgrades to existing Watershops Pond Dam represent a $2.6 million investment in historic infrastructure, enhances neighborhood resilience, increases flood mitigation capacity, and restores natural ecosystems of pond.

- Mitchell Machine Inc. (224 Hancock St.) A 4th generation manufacturing company with 81 years of experience who is deeply invested in the neighborhood. Their 30,000 sqft facility employs 18 employees and fabricates on site, products for a wide range of industries including automotive, aerospace, optics, and defense contracts.

- Gardening the Community (200 Walnut St.) A neighborhood anchor institution for youth programs, this urban farm provides training for community members on urban food production and distribution and whose primary goal is to provide fresh fruits and vegetables for the neighborhood. Location includes active farm stand, a greenhouse, and urban gardens.

- Property is located 0.4 miles from Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) (4900 students for 2021 school year).

- Property is located 0.8 miles from Springfield College (4100 students for 2021 school year).

- Property is located 1.2 miles from American International College (AIC) (2800 students for 2021 school year).

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
shall 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 noted, the parcel is zoned as residential B1 and R2; any other use will require a zone change.
The City envisions a development that incorporates any reasonable proposals which could include some or all of the following elements:

• Creating positive street level activity and improved landscape appearance along Pine Street and Walnut Street.

• Creating an anchor development that respects the historic character of the neighborhood, and compliments the existing historic buildings such as the Third Baptist Church on Walnut Street.

• Creating an anchor development that reactivates the intersection.

• Creating jobs, or new market rate housing opportunities.

• Creating opportunities to bring fresh food to neighborhood.

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 City may award under market value to the most advantageous proposal offer the best development concept for the selected parcel(s). The combined property is currently assessed at $21,330 and is being sold as one unit.

PRE-PROPOSAL ASSISTANCE/QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
The site is on a major public throughway and can be viewed from the public sidewalks at any time. Attachments include further information on the property.

In order to provide prompt answers to questions, the City requests that all proposers submit written questions to the City of Springfield’s Office of Procurement by August 28th, 2021 at 4PM. Questions should be emailed and/or faxed. The City will compile written answers which will be mailed to all Proposers who requested a copy of the RFP, no later than August 30th, 2021.

Office of Procurement:
Email: lstabilo@springfieldcityhall.com
Fax: (413) 787-6295
Mailing Address: City Hall, Room 307, 36 Court Street, Springfield, MA 01103

To maintain a fair and impartial competitive process, the City will only answer written questions submitted to the Office of Procurement. 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 8:04 pm Friday, April 19, 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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