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HomeMy Public PortalAboutAB02-154 attachmentREQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS CITY OF McCALL CONFERENCE CENTER The City of McCall is requesting proposals from private or public sector development partners to build a conference facility in McCall. The City is very eager to pursue a public-private partnership that will result in the construction of a high-quality conference facility that will draw additional visitors to McCall. Together with the Urban Renewal Agency and the McCall Chamber of Commerce, the City recently commissioned Jinneman, Kennedy & Mohn to conduct a Market & Economic Feasibility Study for a conference center. The Feasibility Study concluded “The project that will provide the optimum benefit to McCall, in terms of generating the maximum number of meetings and economic benefit, is a very good quality hotel of approximately 100 guest rooms with an adjacent conference center owned by a public sector entity and operated by the hotel.” (page I-4) Both the City Council and the Urban Renewal Agency are committed to making a conference center in McCall a reality and maximizing the public benefit from the facility. That desire, and the conclusions of the Feasibility Study, has led the Council to issue this Request for Proposals. Minimum Requirements Conference Facility of at least 10,000 square feet, including a main ballroom capable of accommodating at least 400 people in banquet seating, at least five break-out rooms of no less than 500 square feet each, plus all associated support functions. The conference facility should have a high level of amenities, including telecommunications and audio/visual capabilities. Adequate parking should be provided on-site. The ability to expand the conference facility is an important consideration. The City believes that the site must be able to accommodate an adjacent high quality hotel of at least 70 rooms. The City is interested in proposals that include an adjacent hotel to be constructed at the same time as the conference facility, as well as proposals that make provision for the future construction of an adjacent hotel. Construction of a facility adjacent to an existing hotel could meet this provision. As an additional item, the City is interested in receiving proposals that allow for the addition of multi-use facilities (such as a performing arts center or community center) as part of the conference center/hotel complex. City Participation As a partner in the development of the conference center, the City can bring several forms of public financing methods to bear on the project. Proposals should include a conceptual plan for public financing. The following methods may be considered: Urban Renewal District Sites located within the boundaries of the existing urban renewal district can take advantage of the tax increment financing methods authorized under Idaho Code. The McCall Urban Renewal Agency Board of Directors has agreed in concept to support a facility in the district to the fullest extent possible. It may be possible to form a new urban renewal district for sites located outside the boundaries of the existing district. Infrastructure Grants The City is willing to help prepare and to sponsor grant applications to the Idaho Department of Commerce, US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA), USDA Rural Development Administration (RDA), or other state or federal funding agencies. These grants are very competitive, and are typically used for infrastructure and/or public amenities in support of the project. The City anticipates that an Idaho Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) application for up to $500,000 and an EDA application for up to $800,000 may be appropriate for this project. Additional funding sources may be available. Management Contract – Ongoing Support The City recognizes that some form of management contract or other method of providing continuing support for the operation of the conference facility may be necessary. Respondents are encouraged to submit a draft management contract for consideration. Auditorium District It is possible to form an auditorium district, under the provisions of Idaho Code Title 67 Chapter 49. Such a district will allow the collection of a lodging tax to support the conference center. Local Improvement District It is possible to form a Local Improvement District (LID) to fund some or all of the necessary infrastructure and public amenity improvements. Design considerations The City desires to be involved in the design process for the conference center facility, site improvements, and associated hotel. An important part of the partnership will be an emphasis on high quality site development and building design. The City’s Advisory Design Guidelines are available for review. Selection Criteria The City will evaluate all proposals on a number of criteria, including: the overall public benefit from the proposed site, facility, and partnership terms the relationship between the facility and the Lake, and the relationship between the facility and the downtown the level of amenities and ‘character’ of the proposed facility the ability of the site and initial conference facility to be expanded the ability of the proposal to achieve public support experience and expertise of the development partner compatibility with the McCall Area Comprehensive Plan and/or Downtown Master Plan The City recognizes that this Request for Proposals will generate responses for a variety of different sites and concepts. It will be impossible to evaluate the proposals in an ‘apples-to-apples’ comparison. Therefore, the City anticipates that substantial negotiation may occur with at least one, and possibly more, respondents, before a final decision is made. Additional Information Several documents are available for review on the City’s website, at www.mccall.id.us Market & Economic Feasibility Study For A Proposed Conference Center, 2002 McCall Area Comprehensive Plan, 2000 Downtown Master Plan Zoning Code Advisory Design Guidelines, 2001 Submission The City requests that all interested parties submit a Letter of Intent to Respond. The Letter of Intent to Respond must express the respondent’s intent to submit a proposal, but does not need to identify the site or any conceptual designs. Formal Proposals should include enough details to identify and describe the proposed site, the size and conceptual design of the conference facility, the level of amenities and ‘character’ of the facility, conceptual design of other associated structures, and basic financial and market data. The City recognizes that the response period is relatively brief and that the conceptual design will be refined as financing and partnership terms are established. Creative Proposals that satisfy the minimum requirements are encouraged. All Proposals must be submitted on 8-1/2x11 paper. If the Proposals are bound, one additional unbound copy must be submitted. The City reserves the right to reject any or all Proposals. Letters of Intent to Respond should be submitted by 4:00 pm on December 20, 2002. Five copies of the formal Proposal must be submitted by 4:00 pm on February 14, 2003. All submittals should be directed to: Lindley Kirkpatrick, AICP City of McCall 216 East Park Street McCall, ID 83638 All questions concerning this Request for Proposals should be directed to Lindley Kirkpatrick, AICP, McCall Community Development Director at (208) 634-3458.