SOLICITATION # B113-AS / M30-AS REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIRS AT COLUMBUS PARK, BROOKLYN AND/OR FOLEY SQUARE, MANHATTAN Issue Date January 25, 2006 Michael R. Bloomberg Mayor of the City of New York Adrian Benepe Commissioner of Parks & Recreation Joanne G. Imohiosen Assistant Commissioner for Revenue Julius Spiegel Borough Commissioner for Brooklyn William T. Castro Borough Commissioner for Manhattan www.nyc.gov/parks Request for Proposals Columbus Park Arts & Crafts REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR THE OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF AN ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR TO BE HELD AT COLUMBUS PARK, BROOKLYN AND/OR FOLEY SQUARE, MANHATTAN The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation (Parks) requests proposals for the operation of a quality outdoor arts & crafts fair to be held at one or both of the following two locations: • Columbus Park, Cadman Plaza, between Montague and Johnson Streets in Brooklyn. Fridays from April through December in 2006, 2007, 2008. • Foley Square at Duane and Centre Streets in front of the County Court House, in Foley Square Park, Manhattan. Wednesdays from April through December in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Exact dates and hours of operation will be subject to Parks’ approval. In addition to being a sale of hand-made wares by skilled artisans, the fair is to be a high quality exhibition. The fair is to promote artistry and to provide a venue for works of merit. Parks is seeking qualified individuals or corporate entities with a solid background in outdoor arts and crafts promotions. Parks will only consider proposers with extensive experience in the operation of arts and crafts fairs. A non-renewable term of three (3) years is being offered. No longer term will be considered. Proposers may bid on one or both of the locations and should specify which location(s) they are interested in. See attached maps for a general area of the permitted premises. Project Manager The City of New York Department of Parks & Recreation Project Manager for this concession is Gabrielle Ohayon. All questions with regard to this Request for Proposals (“RFP”) or other project inquiries should be directed to her attention at (212) 360-1397. She may also be reached by fax at (212) 360-3434 or by e-mail at [email protected]. If you have a hearing impairment, please call the following toll-free number and leave a message on the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD). The TDD number is (800)281-5722. Request for Proposals Timetable The following schedule has been established for this Request for Proposals: RFP Release Date: Wednesday, January 25, 2006 Columbus Park Site Tour: Friday, February 10, 2006 @ 11:00 a.m. Foley Square Site Tour: Friday, February 10, 2006 @ 1 p.m. Proposals Due: Tuesday, February 28, 2006 @ 3:00 p.m. Request for Proposals Columbus Park Arts & Crafts PLEASE NOTE: THIS SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT Note: If you have a disability which would prevent you from delivering your proposal to the Arsenal and/or attending the proposer meeting & site tour, please contact the project manager at least 48 hours prior to the due date and/or meeting date so that special arrangements can be made to accommodate you. PROJECT BACKGROUND COLUMBUS PARK, BROOKLYN The City of Brooklyn first mapped a portion of this parkland in 1819, and in 1935 Parks acquired the land and added small parcels over the next three decades. The park contains a life-size marble statue of Columbus by Emma Stebbins (1815-1882). On October 23, 1986, the 481st anniversary of Columbus's death, a local law sponsored by Council Member Abraham G. Gerges named this property Columbus Park as part of that year's Columbus Day festivities. Before that date, the area was unofficially known as Supreme Court Park. In 1994, Columbus Park underwent a $2.1 million renovation funded by Council Member Kenneth K. Fisher that included an improved pedestrian walkway and the installation of a three-tiered cast iron fountain. Borough President Howard Golden sponsored the creation of an ornamental garden. The walkway, fountain, and garden were all designed to replicate the look of the original park in the mid-1800s. Columbus Park is located at the center of downtown Brooklyn, home to state and federal courts, historical focal points such as Fulton Walk, Borough Hall and the Civic Center, and a vibrant and thriving local community. The area is the hub of the borough and is currently undergoing an economic boom. Livingston Plaza provides 500,000 square feet and twelve floors of retail and office space. The recently completed nineteen story Morgan Stanley Building at Pierrepont Plaza was built from brick and limestone to blend with the existing area design. Brooklyn Borough Hall (209 Joralemon Street), which underwent extensive restoration in 1989, was formerly City Hall for the independent City of Brooklyn. Also nearby is the MetroTech complex, a commercial site that encompasses four million square feet, including shops, restaurants and open air space used for concerts and outdoor events, and was the result of a long term effort to revitalize the downtown area. FOLEY SQUARE PARK, MANHATTAN Foley Square was originally near the banks of Collect Pond, a natural body of fresh water. During the early 18th century, the site was part of an African Burial Ground. In 1791, the City acquired the site, but upon realizing that pollution from tanneries and pottery manufacturing had rendered the Pond a public health hazard, the City had the pond drain and covered in 1811. At the turn of the century, however, the area rebounded as the municipal center of the City, and a number of state and federal buildings were built around the square and represent the prevailing tastes of the beginning of this century. The colonnaded and Beaux Arts structures such as the Hall of Records (1911), the County Court House (1926), the New York State Office Building (1928), and the United States Courthouse (1936) all grace the site. The square was named for “Big Tom” Foley, a Tammany Hall district leader and local saloon owner. Federal Plaza was added to the site in 1994, which comprises two buildings around the area. Foley Square Park is situated in one of the busiest and most visible corners in Manhattan. Located only minutes from the business and court district of downtown Manhattan, Foley Square Park serves officials of City government as well as a segment of the downtown business community and students of Pace University. Included within Foley Square Park is Thomas Paine Park, which was once a separate parcel, and is located Request for Proposals Columbus Park Arts & Crafts on the northern section of the park. In 2000, Foley Square Park was officially opened after a three-year $18 million redesign and reconstruction project that unified six irregularly shaped, open spaces to form one five- acre park. It also rerouted seven blocks of streets surrounding the park to improve both auto and pedestrian safety and flow. The goal of the design was to enhance the area and create a park with an emphasis on public assembly, rest and reflection, while commemorating the history of the Square and adjacent areas in Lower Manhattan. The fair has been operating at both locations for many years. During this time, the operation has been well received by the NYC Parks Department, the community and the people who visit the fair each year. Parks seeks an operator who will continue the tradition of providing a high quality arts and crafts fair to the community. THE TERM AND REQUIREMENTS A non-renewable term of three (3) years is being offered. No longer term will be considered. The term of this agreement shall commence on the date of award of this contract and expire three (3) years from that date. Exact dates shall be subject to Parks’ approval and depend upon restrictions resulting from major special events and other unanticipated eventualities. SITE MEETING Parks will hold an on-site inspection meeting for each location as follows: Columbus Park: Friday, February 10, 2006 @ 11:00 a.m. Meet at Columbus Park, located Cadman Plaza West, between Montague and Johnson Streets Foley Square: Friday, February 10, 2006 @ 1 p.m. Meet at Duane and Centre Streets, in front of the County Court House in Manhattan If you are considering responding to this RFP, please make every effort to attend this meeting. REQUIREMENTS DURING THE TERM OF THE LICENSE 1. The concessionaire will be responsible for operating and maintaining the facility as a concession for the use and enjoyment of the general public. 2. For each year of operation, the successful proposer will be required to operate the fair one day per week ONLY and on the designated day, weather permitting. The permitted day of operation for Foley Square will be Wednesdays, and Columbus Park will be Fridays. Exact dates and rain dates will be subject to Parks' approval. 3. The successful proposer will exhibit and sell arts and crafts in separate booths at the designated location. 4. The successful proposer will be required to submit an estimate of the approximate space used per vendor, the number of participating vendors, and a site plan detailing the location of each vendor. Such plan, in addition to the placement of the market, is subject to Parks’ approval. Request for Proposals Columbus Park Arts & Crafts 5. It is the successful proposer's sole responsibility to provide all equipment and materials necessary for the operation and maintenance of the arts and crafts show. All fixed equipment becomes the property of Parks upon installation, at Parks’ option.