Bid Detail

25-020 - For Sale: Redevelopment Opportunity 158-162 Rifle Street - f/k/a Lincoln Hall Site

The City of Springfield (hereafter "City") is requesting proposals for the disposition and redevelopment of 158-162 Rifle Street, a currently vacant parcel. This site is located in Springfield’s Six Corners neighborhood with an assessed value of $109,200. The site was formerly Lincoln Hall, a historic property previously part of the Watershops complex across the street that was mostly destroyed by the 2011 tornado. The parcel is located in a high visibility location that connects neighborhoods and major population center, and is steps from major institutions including Elias Brookings Elementary School and Springfield College.

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 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.

An abridged version of any environmental reports the city has undertaken on the property are available online for public review at the following address: https://www.springfield-ma.gov/planning/reports. To see the full reports with data tables, they would be available for review by scheduling an in-office appointment with OPED at 787-6020.

The site consists of one (1) City-owned property and is currently assessed at $109,200. It is zoned for Business B and is .71 acres. The 2011 tornado severely damaged Lincoln Hall, the vacant building previously on the lot, leading to its demolition. The site is currently an open vacant lot with no structures. The City took possession of the property in 2021.

The parcel is located at a large, highly visible intersection on Allen Street in Six Corners, sandwiched between Rifle Street and Hickory Street. The site has significant vehicle traffic as it fronts Walnut Street, and is one of the main connecting roads between neighborhoods, around Watershops Pond, and to downtown Springfield. As well as a significant number of residents in the immediate area, its proximity to the campus of Springfield College also offers additional employee and student traffic that could utilize businesses.

Six Corners is one of Springfield’s most historic neighborhoods, and the City and residents and business owners have made numerous significant investments within the past decade to invigorate development in the area. City investments 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 a $27.9 million investment in the area and serves over 330 students from the surrounding neighborhoods.

- Barrows Park (131 Walnut St.): Renovated in 2018 as part of $340,400 City-wide investment in 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 approximately 126 residents.

- Educare Springfield (100 Hickory St): Opened in 2020 and representing a $14.4 million investment, this 27,000 square foot facility supports 141 children ages 0-5 years old, 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 its ”unique and innovative” design.

- Central Street Corridor Improvement Project: Completed in 2022, this project represents a $3 million renovation and realignment of Central Street, providing much needed roadway improvements and better accessibility for neighborhood.

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 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. The redevelopment of the site should take advantage of the recent public investments and be compatible with the uses, zoning and environment. 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 some or all of the following elements:

• Creating positive street level activity and improved landscape appearance along Allen, Rifle and Hickory Street, keeping in mind the historic character of the neighborhood.
• Considering pedestrian and bicycle movements in and around the site to make the site as walkable as possible and connected to the other area amenities
• 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, creates jobs for local residents, and addresses a neighborhood need.

The City is interested in proposals that promote equitable development goals. Equitable development includes many factors, but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) summarizes as:

Equitable development draws on both environmental justice and smart growth and generally refers to a range of approaches for creating communities and regions where residents of all incomes, races, and ethnicities participate in and benefit from decisions that shape the places where they live.
• Equitable development emphasizes that all residents should be protected from environmental hazards and enjoy access to environmental, health, economic, and social necessities such as clean air and water, adequate infrastructure, and job opportunities.
• To achieve this, equitable development approaches usually integrate people-focused strategies (efforts that support community residents) with place-focused strategies (efforts that stabilize and improve the neighborhood environment).

F. 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 property is currently assessed at $109,200.00 Showing committed, leveraged funding will score favorably.


In order to provide prompt answers to questions, the City requests that all proposers submit written questions to the City’s Office of Procurement by October 23, 2024. Questions should be emailed or faxed. The Chief Procurement Officer will compile written answers which will be mailed to all proposers who requested a copy of the RFP no later than October 25, 2024.

Office of Procurement:
Email: LStabilo@springfieldcityhall.com
Fax: (413) 787-6295

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, 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.

H. SUBMISSION DEADLINE AND REQUIREMENTS
COMPLETED SUBMISSION PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY October 30, 2024 at 2PM:

Lauren Stabilo, Chief Procurement Officer
Springfield Office Of Procurement
36 Court Street, Room 307
Springfield, Massachusetts 01103

Electronic Submissions will NOT be accepted.

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.

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