Request for Letter of Interest & Qualifications Proposed Rose District Mixed Use Development INTRODUCTION: The Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation in partnership with the City of Broken Arrow is entertaining letters of interest from qualified developers in regards to the design and construction of a mixed-use development in the heart of the now thriving Rose District. The city has acquired an entire block of downtown that will serve as the site of this development. The goal of the acquisition of this prime block of the Rose District is to encourage the continuation of the exponential growth in retail, office, and housing development in the district. What once served as a physical barrier to the district s northern development will now be integral to its expansion. In order to make this a reality, the city is set to scrape the existing structure from the site in order to provide a shovel ready pad for the development of a mixed-use live/work/play development that will set the district apart in the metro. The Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation is looking for a development partner who will be capable of utilizing and developing the entirety of this prime site to its fullest potential. Background/Future of District: Broken Arrow is a city of roughly 108,000 in the southeast part of the Tulsa, Oklahoma metro area. Once home to a bustling downtown, the town center had slowly declined to a shadow of its former self. In early 2011, a group of community leaders from the chamber of commerce, economic development corporation, schools, city, and business sector formed to create a collective vision for the future of the downtown Broken Arrow. After touring other cities to learn from best practices, they implemented a $5 million dollar streetscaping initiative create a thriving center of retail, restaurants, entertainment, and arts in their downtown core. This resulted in extensive landscaping, expansion of sidewalks, new amenities such as planters and lighting, and an incentive fund to drive development. Broken Arrow, Oklahoma: Conference Center Request for LIQ s 1
Since completion, over 30 new businesses have opened their doors in the District, and more than $25 million dollars in private investment has been poured into it. Furthermore, downtown Broken Arrow has become a destination for residents of neighboring communities. The Rose District is also an awardwinning project, having garnered the International Economic Development Council s (IEDC) Gold Award for Public-Private Partnership, as well as its Silver Award for New Media. Likewise, it was awarded the Oklahoma American Planning Association Great Street Award, as well as the Tulsa s Young Professionals Creative Catalyst Award for being an advocate for the arts. Not to stand on our current success, the city has dedicated additional funding from the Vision 2025 surplus funds in order to continue the streetscape an additional 3 blocks, as well as integrate a world-class zero grade interactive water feature at the Rose District Plaza. As a part of this Phase IV initiative, the BAEDC is seeking a development partner to create yet another award winning public-private partnership in the Rose District. Broken Arrow, Oklahoma: Conference Center Request for LIQ s 2
Project Vision: In order to continue the vibrancy and momentum of the Rose District, the BAEDC wishes attract the right development partner to create a mixed-use development that encapsulates the live/work/play environment that exists in the district. This would include retail & restaurant space on the ground floor of the development, upscale apartments and/or condos which include live/work space connected to the ground floor retail, as well as office space that would feed into the daytime population of the district, feeding into the retailers and restaurants. The project would need to fit with the aesthetic of this historic 100+-year-old main street (see Rose District Facade Guidelines link included) while providing the type of modern amenities young professionals and those looking to be a part of a live/work/play environment seek. This includes well-planned green space, alternative transportation support (bike racks, electric vehicle charging, etc.), historic architecture, upscale amenities/finishes, green space, and easy access to the district s nightlife. Credit: Queen Anne Markets, Seattle The Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation has proposed a Rose District 2.0 (see link below in Reference Materials) vision that will incorporate many of these amenities to the district as a whole, including the addition of a Residential Overlay to bolster further residential and business growth. Broken Arrow, Oklahoma: Conference Center Request for LIQ s 3
SITE LOCATION & DESCRIPTION: Location The site is located in the north sector of the Rose District at the corner of Detroit and Main. The site address is 305 N Main Street and represents an entire downtown block. Size/Visibility The City of Broken Arrow has acquired a lot which constitutes an entire 2.6acre block with 360 feet of frontage along the core of the now thriving Rose District. Access The property has easy access from all 4 sides along Main, 1st, Elgin and Detroit. Likewise, it is only 1.5 miles from the Broken Arrow expressway, which has highway signage directing motorists to the Rose District. We are also adding a monument sign at the entree-way of the Rose District at 71st and Main that will easily guide motorists to the district and this site. Site aerial (Credit: 2016 Google) Broken Arrow, Oklahoma: Conference Center Request for LIQ s 4
REQUIREMENTS: We ask that all interested parties please submit the following: 1. A letter of interest generally describing the Development Group s vision for the type of project that could be developed in the Broken Arrow Market 2. A portfolio of similar projects that can serve as a benchmark for the proposed mixed-use project. 3. A description of other public/private project partnerships that the Development Group has been involved in, including the general terms of how they were structured with the public entity and the Development Group s experience utilizing non-conventional financing mechanisms. 4. A history of the firms who comprise the Development Group and professional resumes of individuals likely to work on the project. 5. Business references, especially from those projects cited in the LIQ response. 6. Additional materials or information that would assist the BAEDC in evaluation the Development Group s response. PROCESS & TIMELINE: Please submit all materials electronically to warren.unsicker@baedc.com If the files are too large to submit this way, please mail a thumb drive with the materials to: ATTN: Mixed-Use LIQ s Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation 210 N Main St. Broken Arrow, OK 74012 Submissions are due no later than Monday, March 21 st, 2016 at 5pm Central Time. Broken Arrow, Oklahoma: Conference Center Request for LIQ s 5
Process: Once all submittals have been evaluated, those groups with the greatest experience and expertise and that most closely share the vision of the project being sought by the Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation and the City of Broken Arrow will be invited for interviews with the Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation board. At such time, additional information may be requested. REFERENCE MATERIALS: To better tailor your responses to this solicitation, the complete Downtown Master Plan, Downtown Core Façade Guidelines, and the Rose District 2.0 vision can be downloaded here: www.rosedistrict.com/liq Includes: Rose District 2.0 Façade Guidelines Downtown Master Plan For more details on the Rose District, visit: www.rosedistrict.com Broken Arrow, Oklahoma: Conference Center Request for LIQ s 6