1.B Old City Hall RFP Update - Laserfiche WebLink

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projects and market conditions, the project has essentially been on hold since the last update was provided to Council in May 2008. Staff has kept in touch with the adjacent townhome association and interested residents to assure them that although the process has been on hold, the City remains committed to the community planning and RFP process. Additionally, people were informed that there would be time for public review and comment before the RFP is approved. Project Timeline Options While the market has changed considerably since the last development proposal was reviewed in the summer of 2006, the City has received a few phone calls from developers with interest in the property. Potential developers are informed of the community planning process to prepare the RFP. Although other projects have a higher priority in the coming months (i.e. rental regulations), it should be possible to prepare a working draft RFP for Council and public review as early as the June work session pending room on that agenda. When last reviewed, the RFP process was leading toward a primarily residential use on the property. The issue regarding access to Hamline Avenue requires discussion as do a few other topics that could be discussed along with a working RFP draft. The housing market has experienced a severe decline in recent months; however, there has been activity in multi-family housing in the metropolitan area. There a metro-wide need for affordable housing and it may be possible to have a percentage of any development include units with prices in the affordable housing range.Office development, many types of retail, and condos/townhomes could prove to be difficult at this time. Once staff drafts the RFP, it would be brought to a work session and open for public review and comment prior to that. After the RFP is reviewed and approved by the City Council, it would be released to potential developers. The RFP would list the requirements set by the City, and developers would be able to submit proposals that meet the requirements listed in the RFP. The proposals would then be evaluated by the City for compliance with the RFP and, if a proposal meets the requirements set by the City, it can be accepted. Any project would then go through the normal City review process, which would likely include a planned unit development. Staff can move forward with preparing the RFP for Council review; however, there may be some merit in delaying the project pending changes in the economy. Since the sale value of the property has likely fallen, we may get fewer developers responding to an RFP. If the responses do work to meet the City’s goals, the City would not have to accept a proposal. City of Arden Hills City Council Work Session for April 20, 2009 \\Ahdocs1\ah\AHdata\Planning\Development Projects\Former City Hall-Public Works Site Reuse\042009 - CC Work Session - Old City Hall RFP Update.doc Page 2 of 3