Bid Detail

24-107 - Purchase and Redevelopment of WS Oak Street

The City of Springfield is requesting proposals for the redevelopment of a parcel site located on Oak Street. This site is located in Springfield’s Old Hill neighborhood, and the parcel is 3,757 square feet, and has an assessed value of $1,200.

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 includes 1 City owned property, Parcel #091800022. The property is currently assessed at $1,200 and is 3,757 square feet. The parcel is zoned for Business A.

Located near the heart of one of Springfield’s most historic neighborhoods, the parcel is located close to the highly visible Six Corners intersection.

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.) was renovated in 2018, as part of $340,400 City-wide investment in the City’s park facilities.

- The Mason Wright Retirement Community (74 Walnut St.), founded in 1892, is a vibrant senior living community with 118 units 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 0-5 years 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.

- The Six Corners roundabout (321 Walnut St.) was 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 its “unique and innovative” design

- Central Street Corridor Improvement Project represents a $3 million renovation and realignment of Central Street, providing much needed roadway improvements, and better accessibility for neighborhood.

- The Ruth Elizabeth Park (468 Walnut St.) was 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.) were 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.) is 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.) is a neighborhood anchor institution for youth programs and 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 an active farm stand, a greenhouse, and urban gardens.

E. 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, zoning ordinances, and mindful of such when developing a redevelopment project and program to ensure the project is respectful of existing neighbors.

Proposers will be responsible to independently complete any permitting and zoning requirements for their proposed project, and are subject to a plan review process through the Office of Planning & Economic Development and the Department of Public Works, if necessary.

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 improving the landscape appearance along Oak 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 a development that is a positive presence for the neighborhood

• Addressing a neighborhood need

PRE-PROPOSAL ASSISTANCE/QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

The site is on a 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 December 20, 2023 at 4PM. Questions should be emailed, faxed or mailed. The City will compile written answers which will be mailed to all Proposers who requested a copy of the RFP, no later than December 21, 2023.

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.

REVIEW COMMITTEE

A Review Committee will be established by the City to review and evaluate complete proposals. The review committee may be composed of representatives from organizations such as the City of Springfield Office of Planning and Economic Development, Office of Neighborhood Services, and local neighborhood and civic associations.
The Review Committee will make a recommendation to the Mayor. The transfer of the property would also require approval from the Springfield City Council.

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 1:05 pm Saturday, May 4, 2024

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24-233 - Fire Escape Repairs at Old Homer St. School
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24-232 - Site Improvements at Arthur T. Talmadge Elementary School
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24-231 - Site Improvements at Brightwood-Lincoln Elementary School
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