V-MS WORD DOC 071519 Final Depot RFP4
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Table of Contents Request for Proposals Section I Intent p. 3 Section II Background and Location p. 3 Section III Description of the Leasehold and Design Concepts p. 5 Section IV Mississippi Landmark Designation p. 5 Section V Zoning p. 5 Section VI Utilities p. 5 Section VII Parking and Access p. 5 Section VIII Proposal Requirements p. 6 Section IX Time Schedule p. 8 Section X Selection Process p. 9 Section XI Rejection of Proposal & Waiver of Deficiencies p. 9 Section XII Inquiries, Questions, and City Contact p. 9 Section XIII Proposal Delivery and Deadline p. 10 Section XIV Lease Agreement p. 10 Section XV Public Records p. 10 Exhibits Exhibit “A” Natchez: Downtown Master Plan.............................................. A-1 Exhibit “B” Bluff Sub Area Plan of the Downtown Master Plan.................... B-1 Exhibit “C” Historic and Contemporary Photographs of the Depot............. C-1 Exhibit “D” Aerial Photography & Layout of Leasable & Common Areas.... D-1 Exhibit “E” MDAH: Procedure for Approval of Modifications to Depot; E-1 Information on Locating a Bar, Kitchen, and Bathrooms......... Exhibit “F” Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Information ................................ F-1 Exhibit “G” Request for Proposal Form......................................................... G-1 Exhibit “H” Evaluation Criteria ……………………………………………………….. H-1 07_09_19_Final_Depot_RFP_2.pdf 2 July 9, 2019 Request for Proposals CITY OF NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI Design, Renovation, and Operation of a Food, Beverage, and Entertainment Venue at the Old Yazoo & Mississippi Valley Railroad Depot 200 North Broadway Street Natchez, Mississippi The City of Natchez (“City”) is pleased to offer this excellent business opportunity for entrepreneurs, developers, end-users, and interested parties (collectively “Proposer”) to submit a plan to design, renovate, lease, and operate a Food, Beverage, and Entertainment Venue at the Old Yazoo & Mississippi Valley Railroad Depot (“Depot”). SECTION I: INTENT By this Request for Proposal (“RFP”), the City sets forth its intent to consider a proposal for the lease of the Depot in conjunction with the City’s 2018 Downtown Master Plan (“Plan”). See Exhibit “A” to this RFP. The Plan identifies the Depot as the hub of a new “Entertainment District” along Broadway Street adjacent to the Natchez Bluff. The purpose of the “Entertainment District” is to encourage private investment and revitalization of properties along the east side of Broadway Street facing the Bluff and the Mississippi River. The City’s intent is that the Depot will be a prime destination for locals and tourists, especially on weekends. The Bluff Sub-Area portion of the Plan is Exhibit “B” to this RFP. SECTION II: BACKGROUND AND LOCATION The Depot is situated on the famous Natchez Bluff, nearly 200 feet above the Mississippi River. The Bluff offers unparalleled views of the greatest river in North America and the spectacular Western sky beyond. Because of its unique location and historical significance, the Depot is one of the most sought-after properties in the City. Exhibit “C” features Historic and Contemporary Photographs of the Premises. History: Built in 1910, the Depot is an official Mississippi Landmark, as well as the only remaining enclosed structure in the public park atop the Natchez Bluff. The Depot’s exterior architectural style is “railroad vernacular” with half-timbered stucco gables and a terra cotta roof. The interior retains the original wainscoting and terrazzo floors. Exterior Renovation: In 2016, the City of Natchez completed a $879,000 renovation of the Depot’s exterior and prepared the interior for renovation by a qualified candidate to operate a business. 07_09_19_Final_Depot_RFP_2.pdf 3 July 9, 2019 Proximity to Convention Hotel & Facilities and Downtown: The Depot is located across the street from the Natchez Grand Hotel and just two blocks from the Natchez Convention Center, Community Center, City Auditorium, and the Historic Downtown Shopping District. The Trailhead Pavilion for the popular Natchez Trails and Walking Tours is located at the Depot. Exhibits at the Trailhead Pavilion give an overview of Natchez history and point the way to over 5 miles of walking trails and display panels that explain historic sites along the path. The Trails attract tourists, walkers, joggers, baby strollers, skateboarders, and scooters. Leisure and Recreation District: The Depot is part of the City’s official Leisure and Recreation District in which patrons are allowed to exit bars and restaurants to stroll the sidewalks with alcoholic beverages in a “go cup”. Riverboats and Casino Gambling: At the Bluff, Roth’s Hill Road winds down to the river bank where Magnolia Bluffs Casino attracts nearly 550,000 people a year. Nearby Silver Street leads from the Bluff to Natchez Under the Hill where the luxury paddle wheelers and cruise lines deliver 14,000 travelers to Natchez during the peak season (February to June). Festivals, Fireworks, Parades, and Recreation: Throughout the year, festivals, and community events are programmed at the Bluff: chili cook-offs, crawfish festivals, car shows, fireworks, carnivals, and fundraisers. The annual Natchez Balloon Festival attracts 25,000 people to the Bluff the third weekend in October. The annual Bishop Gunn Concert & Crawfish Boil, held on the Bluff in May, brought 3,000 attendees in 2018 and 4,000 attendees (despite the rain) in 2019. The Bluff is also the starting point for parades in celebration of everything from Christmas, Martin Luther King Day, and Mardi Gras to high school homecomings. Nearby Tourist Attractions: The Bluff is surrounded by historic house museums, including two National Historic Landmark sites: The House on Ellicott Hill where the United States Flag was raised to claim Natchez from Spain; Rosalie Mansion, where General Grant headquartered during the Civil War. Natchez is the location of the Natchez National Historical Park, operated by the National Park Service, which owns the site of the original French Fort (1716) on the Bluff; The William Johnson House Museum, home to the famous pre-Civil War African-American diarist, “the Barber of Natchez”; and other sites. 07_09_19_Final_Depot_RFP_2.pdf 4 July 9, 2019 SECTION III: DESCRIPTION OF THE LEASEHOLD AND DESIGN CONCEPTS The Bluff Sub-Area Plan of the Downtown Master Plan (Exhibit “B”) shows the Depot as a food, beverage, and entertainment venue flanked by two outdoor patio spaces. Amphitheater style steps will connect the dining patio to the walking trail on the edge of the Bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. Area “A” – New Public Concrete Amphitheater (2900 sf) Area “B” – New Private Brick Paver or Concrete Patio (4,241 sf) Area “C” – Leasable Interior Space of the Depot (2,250 sf) Area “D” –Existing Private Brick Paver Patio (3,778 sf) Area “E” – Existing Public Brick Paver Plaza (9,515 sf) Exclusive Leasehold: The leasable and common area plan (Exhibit “D”) gives an overview of the usable area for a proposer. The exclusive leasehold includes Areas “B”, “C”, and “D”, the building itself and the adjacent Patio Areas. The total interior/exterior exclusive use space is 10,250 sf +/-. The interior dining space Area “C” may be expanded by enclosing a portion of Area “B” with the prior approval of MDAH. Public Use Areas: Depot customers will also have access to adjacent public areas “A” and “E”, which include the Amphitheater steps to the West (2900 sf), as well as the Trailhead Pavilion and triangular plaza to the East on Broadway Street (9,515 sf). The City may negotiate to include a portion of this public space in the exclusive leasehold. See Aerial Photograph of the Property, Layout of Leasable and Common Areas, and Concept Drawings, Exhibit “D. SECTION IV: MISSISSIPPI LANDMARK DESIGNATION The Depot is designated as a Mississippi Landmark and alterations to the building are subject to review and approval by the Mississippi Department of Archives & History (“MDAH”). MDAH and the City will guide Proposers through this process. It is the Proposer’s obligation to have proposed Plans & Specifications approved by the MDAH. See Exhibits “E” and “F”. SECTION V: ZONING The Depot’s current zoning is Waterfront Development District. A copy of the zoning ordinance is on the City’s website at: www.natchez.ms.us/DocumentCenter/View/259 SECTION VI: UTILITIES The Depot has access to all typical utilities including but not limited to water, sewage, natural gas, electricity, telephone, Wi-Fi, and fiber optic cable. SECTION VII: PARKING AND ACCESS There is public parking in front of the Depot along Broadway Street, as well as on the side streets of Jefferson and Franklin. 07_09_19_Final_Depot_RFP_2.pdf 5 July 9, 2019 SECTION VIII: PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS To be considered, the Proposal should contain the following sections in the same sequence as outlined below. Proposals will be evaluated on the criteria listed below and as described in Section X Selection Process: 1. A detailed description of the proposed concept or theme and how the Depot will be used to accomplish the intent of this RFP, including, but not limited to, a. a narrative description of the business concept, services, and products to be offered, and estimated seating capacity; b. a general floor diagram and other plans and visuals necessary to fully describe the proposed concept; c. the proposed hours of operation for weekdays and weekends, including the potential for extended operating hours; d. a potential staffing plan and, if possible, the number, type, and salary range of employment opportunities that may be created; e. a general entertainment plan and whether or not live music will be included f. a description of outdoor service and entertainment options, if any, for the west side of Depot facing the river; g. whether or not private events will be accommodated and if so, what type of private events might be contemplated; h. other potential business activities that will or might be conducted on the premises or in connection with events on the Bluff or at other nearby facilities.