A request for proposals to redevelop a brownfield site in Kalamazoo’s Northside neighborhood will launch with an event on Saturday, November 7 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event will take place on-site at 501 N Westnedge Ave.
Attendees can learn about the request for proposals (RFP) and enjoy food, games, music, door prizes, and other activities. The launch event is free and open to the entire community. COVID-19 protocols will be in place at the event including wearing masks, social distancing, and hand sanitizing. Community members are asked to only attend if they are feeling well.
Copies of the RFP application will be available at the launch event. Starting Monday, November 9 copies will be available online at www.imaginekalamazoo.com/projects/501launch and in person at Community Planning and Economic Development offices (245 N. Rose Street, Suite 100) and at the Northside Association for Community Development (612 N Park Street).
Additional informational opportunities will be available in November, including site tours on November 10 and 12 and an online Bidders Conference on November 14. A letter of intent is required by November 30 and proposal applications must be submitted by January 15, 2021.
The RFP was developed with a committee of Northside residents to address neighborhood needs identified by the Northside Neighborhood Plan. During a resident meeting in 2019, Northside residents shared what they wanted and needed in their neighborhood, and these types of uses will be prioritized when evaluating applications. Qualifying proposals will be scored according to a set of evaluation criteria. Proposals that meet resident recommendations for the site, support neighborhood plan goals, and that are resident-owned will be rated highly during the evaluation process. The RFP committee and Brownfield Projects and Finance Committee will recommend a proposal to the Brownfield Authority, which will select a winning proposal in spring 2021.
More information on this project including the timeline and application details are available at www.imaginekalamazoo.com/projects/501launch