RFP 18th Street Office FaciliityTO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Request for Proposals - 18th Street Office Facility
DATE: May 13, 2008
Housing and Community Development Department Director David Harris is
recommending approval of the publication of a Request for Proposals for reoccupancy
of the former Housing Department offices at 18t" and Central Avenue.
The Housing Department vacated the former fire station building last October, after 27
years of occupancy. The City has since undertaken a feasibility analysis for the
purpose of restoration of the building to its turn-of-the-century appearance, as Engine
House No. 1. This would include installation of the front wooden wagon doors and full-
height windows. An elevator would be installed at the rear parking area, to achieve full
accessibility. New accessible bathrooms and a second floor kitchenette would be
added. The cost of these improvements has been estimated at $665,000.
The purpose of this investment is two-fold: to encourage private reinvestment in the
surrounding commercial area on Central Avenue, which contains a wealth of historically
significant buildings; and to attract a service provider(s) to locate to the facility and serve
downtown neighborhood residents through educational and supportive services. The
RFP has been designed to solicit agencies to propose service programs that will
enhance the City's Washington Neighborhood revitalization efforts.
The Request for Proposals is to solicit proposals from provider agencies to use the 18tH
Street facility as a location for delivery of services to downtown neighborhood families.
concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
v
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
David Harris, Housing and Community Development Department Director
THE CITY OF DUbUgU@
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TO: Michael ~ Milligan, City Manager
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FROM: David Harris, Housing and Community Development Department
SUBJECT: Request for Proposals - 18t" Street Office Facility
DATE: 5 May 08
Introduction
The purpose of this memorandum is to request the City Council's approval for
publication of the attached request-for-proposals, for reoccupancy of the former
Housing Department offices at 18t" and Central Avenue.
Discussion
The Housing Department vacated the former fire station building last October,
after 27 years of occupancy. We have since undertaken a feasibility analysis for
the purpose of restoration of the building to its turn-of-the-century appearance, as
Engine House No. 1. This would include installation of the front wooden wagon
doors and full-height windows. An elevator would be installed at the rear parking
area, to achieve full accessibility. New accessible bathrooms and a second floor
kitchenette would be added. The cost of these improvements has been
estimated at $665 000.
The purpose of this investment is two-fold: to encourage private reinvestment in
the surrounding commercial area on Central Avenue, which contains a wealth of
historically significant buildings; and to attract a service provider(s) to locate to
the facility and serve downtown neighborhood residents through educational and
supportive services. The RFP has been designed to solicit agencies to propose
service programs which will enhance the City's Washington Neighborhood
revitalization efforts.
Action Step
The action requested of the City Council is to approve publication of the attached
RFP, soliciting proposals from provider agencies to use the 18t" Street facility as
a location for delivery of services to downtown neighborhood families.
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CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SERVICE AGENCIES TO
USE THE FORMER HOUSING DEPARTMENT OFFICES TO PROVIDE DIRECT
SERVICES TO WASHINGTON AND DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS
INTRODUCTION
The City of Dubuque is seeking proposals from agencies to locate or co-locate to the
former Housing Department offices at 18th and Central Avenue, to provide direct
services to downtown neighborhood residents. The intent of this request is to solicit
interest from agencies who will provide services in the areas of family supports day
care, after-school programs, education, and pre-employment and job training, and other
outreach services. Agencies may consider use of all or part of the building. Of
particular emphasis will be assistance to persons and families currently living in the
Washington Neighborhood.
BACKGROUND
The City-owned building at 18th and Central will be a first-class office facility. It contains
approximately 2300 square feet on each of two floors. Each floor offers large open spaces and
multiple windows. The building is fully air-conditioned and wired for high-speed Internet service.
Parking for 10 vehicles is available in the rear lot, with another four spaces located in the front of
the building.
A renovation plan has been developed for the building, which will include installation of an
elevator, new accessible second floor bathrooms and a kitchenette. As well, the front facade of
the building will be restored to its turn-of-the-century look - as Engine House No 1 -with
wooden wagon doors and full-height windows. All interior surfaces will be renovated, with new
carpeting and paint. The estimate for these improvements is approximately $665 000. It is
anticipated that this work will be completed during calendar year 2008.
The interior improvements and office configurations can be custom-tailored to the needs of
agencies wishing to provide services at this facility.
A $5.50/square foot rental rate has been established, with tenant to additionally pay costs of
utilities. The City is willing to flexibly negotiate the initial terms of a lease, in the interest of
soliciting agencies which will provide greatest service impact for neighborhood residents.
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN PROPOSAL
To simplify the review process and to obtain the maximum degree of comparability, the proposal
should include the following information and be organized in the following manner:
Letter of Transmittal
Provide a letter of transmittal briefly outlining the agency's understanding of this proposal and
the name, address and numbers of the agency's primary contact person.
Profile of Agency
Provide general information, mission and history of the agency and its area of expertise,
including the qualifications of lead personnel.
The proposal should describe the services to be provided by the agency, by type, according to
target clientele group. Information to be included should include whether the services are to be
provided on-site or otherwise, frequency, duration, whether in partnership with other agencies.
As stated, the City's intent is to recruit agencies which will provide services to impact on the
quality of life of downtown neighborhood residents, with emphasis on the Washington
Neighborhood. To the extent possible, the proposal should describe the nature of services to
be provided in the context of addressing problems currently being evidenced in the
neighborhood. These include access to training, employment, day care and educational
opportunities. The City's goal is to provide a facility for service `outreach' to neighborhood
residents, in order to provide a means of access to empowerment and social, economic and
cultural opportunities.
Proposed Schedule
Provide a schedule proposing when the agency could locate to the 18th Street facility and
commence service delivery.
Lease Terms
If lease terms are proposed other than as stated, include the suggested changes in the
proposal.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The proposal must be received in the Housing Department, 350 West 6th Street, Suite 312,
Dubuque 52001, by 2008.
Each bidding agency assumes full responsibility for delivery and deposit of the completed
proposal package on or before the deadline. The City of Dubuque is not responsible for any
loss or delay with respect to delivery of the proposals. The City of Dubuque reserves the right
to reject any and all proposals and negotiate changes. The City of Dubuque is an Equal
Opportunity Employer.
All questions and correspondence regarding this RFP should be directed to David Harris,
Director, Housing and Community Development Department, Dubuque, Iowa, by telephone at
563-589-4239, by fax at 563-589-4244, or by email at dharris(a~cityofdubuaue.org.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
A review of qualifying proposals will be evaluated by a selection committee. Agencies may be
invited to an interview with the selection committee. Evaluation criteria will include the following:
• Experience and achievements of the agency.
• Qualifications and experience of principal staff.
• Grasp of project requirements, understanding of project intent and level of interest by
agency.
• Impact of services on identified needs of residents.
• Design approach/methodology in delivering services.
• Approach to communication throughout the project.
• Program(s) evaluation measures and/or outcomes
• Lease terms; nature of lease subsidy requested, if any.
• Sustainability of agency/program operations
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