Reisz Elephant: Lawyer Gibson hails redevelopment's back-room RFP fix as an excellent way to do business with just one company.

On March 27, 2018 the Redevelopment Commission approved a resolution to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the city's City Hall Project.

Ten (actually nine) whole days were given for interested developers to submit proposals for a project already negotiated with Denton Floyd, and announced publicly seven months prior to the RFP.

Jeff Gahan handed Denton Floyd $750,000 to kick-start the Reisz project. Where are the documents detailing this transaction?

"The developer shall have title to the proposed parcel or show demonstrated ability to obtain title to the proposed parcel."

In Denton Floyd's case, the very same Redevelopment Commission issuing this purportedly fair and open RFP already had given its developer of choice the money to buy the property.

At last Thursday's city council meeting, municipal corporeal attorney Shane Gibson lauded the fixed back-alley RFP process as an excellent way to to save money by excluding the free market of ideas.

Are you finding the current occupant's arrogance a bit too much?

Let your council representative know and don't forget the meeting on Wednesday evening at the library.

Stop the Reisz Elephant: There'll be a public meeting on Wednesday, June 27, downstairs at the library, at 6:00 p.m.

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

CITY OF NEW ALBANY

CITY HALL PROJECT

In accordance with IC 5-23-5, the New Albany Redevelopment Commission (“Commission”), on behalf of the City of New Albany, Indiana (“City”), is seeking proposals from qualified developers for the development and construction of a new City Hall (“Project”) on property located within the City. The developer shall have title to the proposed parcel or show demonstrated ability to obtain title to the proposed parcel. The Commission anticipates entering into a public-private agreement for the Developer to provide site work, labor and material, as well as financing (as required), to construct the Project with the general characteristics described below:

• Minimum 20,000 SF
• Downtown location
• Redevelopment is preferred vs. new construction
• Other characteristics and specifications as may be identified and included in future design documents and agreements

The City would assume ownership of the site and improvements after a certain period of time to be proposed by offeror.

The scope of the project is to be determined in a scoping period. Respondent should be willing and prepared to engage in a scoping period with the Commission without any contractual obligation. During this scoping period, the Commission will require information from the selected developer sufficient to finalize the financing terms, design, scope, and costs of the proposed improvements once determined.

Information to be Included in Proposals

Proposals should include a written description of the Developer’s experience designing, financing, constructing, operating, transferring, and developing projects, as follows:

• General Information

1. Developer’s general information including company name, principal office location, point of contact, and contact information
2. Company overview, organization information, and organization chart

• Development Experience

1. Experience working with local economic development organizations or local government units in Indiana
2. Demonstrated experience developing projects of similar scope and scale

• Financial Capacity

1. General financial and credit information
2. Information indicating financial ability of the developer to complete the project
3. Credit reference

• Project Approach

1. Outline of duties and responsibilities of all parties related to the development project from the scoping period until project completion (including the operating period and transfer of property to the City). This should include a project timeline.

The Commission does not require you to submit a certified check or other evidence of financial responsibility with your proposal other than requested above.

Anticipated Selection Process

The Commission will review all proposals and may enter into discussions with offerors to clarify and assure a full understanding of proposals. All offerors will be accorded fair and equal treatment with respect to any opportunity for discussion and revision of proposals. The Commission or its agent will make a recommendation for award of an agreement based upon compliance with the above-requested information, or shall terminate the request for proposal process.

Of all evaluation criteria listed in this Request for Proposals, the offeror’s focus on redevelopment, general project approach and financial capacity will be given the most weight by the Commission. The price offered in a proposal will be considered, but is not the primary determining factor. The Commission reserves the right to modify or cancel this project at any time before a developer enters into a formal agreement with the Commission, including at any point during the scoping period.

Deadline

Proposals are due by 12:00 p.m. on April 6, 2018, and six (6) copies of such proposal (plus one (1) unbound copy) should be hand delivered to (and questions should be directed to):

Josh Staten, Redevelopment Director
City of New Albany, Indiana
Phone: 812-948-5333
E Mail: jstaten@cityofnewalbany.com

0128278.0635348 4822-7229-8591v3