Bid Detail

23-190 - Purchase and Redevelop vacant Parcels on Hancock and Walnut Streets

INTRODUCTION

The City of Springfield (hereafter "City") is requesting proposals for the redevelopment of a multi parcel site located on Hancock Street and Walnut Street. This site is located in Springfield’s Old Hill neighborhood, and consists of four connected City owned parcels that combined equal 13,607 square feet, and have a combined assessment of $58,900.

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.
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 $58,900 and is being sold as one unit.

Address Parcel Number Area Assessed Value Zoning
WS Hancock Street 062500056 2,758 sf $ 4,500 Business A
WS Hancock Street 062500057 4,320 sf $ 25,800 Business A
WS Hancock Street 062500058 750 sf $ 200 Business A
NS Walnut Street 119520150 5,779 sf $ 28,400 Business A
Total 13,607 sf $ 58,900

Located in the heart of one of Springfield’s most historic neighborhoods, the Hancock and Walnut Street parcels are located on a highly visible intersection in Six Corners. Various local amenities and recent investments 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. Some of these include:

- 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 square foot 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 0-5years old, 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. The project won a 2021 Silver Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Massachusetts for it’s unique and innovative” design

- 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.) Completed in 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 has been redeveloped into a 42-unit apartment complex, representing a $20 million investment.

- 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 pond ecosystems.

- 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 square foot 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.

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, neighborhood, equity 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.



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 Hancock Street and Walnut Street.

• Creating a development that encourages and promotes equity in access and benefits of the components of the project and within the development team.

• Creating an anchor development that is a positive presence for the neighborhood

• Addressing a neighborhood need

• Creating opportunities to bring fresh food to neighborhood.

PRICE PROPOSAL

The City will entertain all competitive bids for the property including bids that may be less than the current assessed value. 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 combined property is currently assessed at $58,900 and is being sold as one unit.

ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

The anticipated schedule is as follows:

Date Event
May 10, 2023 and May 17, 2023 RFP advertised
May 10th, 2023 RFP issued
May 31th, 2023 RFP questions due by 4:00 PM
June 5th , 2023 RFP questions answered
June 12th, 2023 Proposals due by 2:00 PM to Procurement Office
June, 2023 Proposals Reviewed
June, 2023 Committee's Recommendation to Mayor
July, 2023 City Council Approved

The anticipated schedule can 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.

The City of Springfield supports the goal of twenty percent minority and women participation in all contracts. No questions will be answered unless received by the Chief Procurement Officer at least 7 days prior to the expiration of the time set for submitting bids or proposals. The Chief Procurement Officer reserves the right to waive any informality in and to reject any or all bids if it is in the public interest to do so.

Available Solicitations

As of 10:04 pm Sunday, April 28, 2024

24-236 - Interior Painting at Rebecca Johnson Elementary School
End date: Tuesday May 14, 2024 at 2 p.m.

24-235 - Interior Painting at Milton Bradley Elementary School
End date: Tuesday May 14, 2024 at 2 p.m.

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

24-234 - Window Shade Replacement at the High School of Commerce
End date: Friday May 10, 2024 at 2 p.m.

24-233 - Fire Escape Repairs at Old Homer St. School
End date: Thursday May 9, 2024 at 2 p.m.

24-232 - Site Improvements at Arthur T. Talmadge Elementary School
End date: Thursday May 9, 2024 at 2 p.m.

24-231 - Site Improvements at Brightwood-Lincoln Elementary School
End date: Thursday May 9, 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.

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