Tarrant Regional Water District
Request for Proposals
Activate Vacant Building for Public Use

The Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) seeks creative proposals to activate and make income producing a vacant building located within the Trinity Uptown Neighborhood District at 1048 West Peach Street, Fort Worth, Texas. See Exhibits.

The TRWD aims to activate this building to be consistent with the community's vision for Trinity Uptown which is described in the Form Based Code known as the Trinity Uptown Development Standards and Guidelines adopted by the City of Fort Worth. The code calls for a mixed use, high density, active, urban, live, work, play neighborhood adjacent to the Trinity River. Go to www.trinityrivervision.org to learn more.

The site is in proximity to construction of a $909 million dollar flood control project that creates a new riverwalk, Town Lake and the opportunity for 12-miles of waterfront development. While the infrastructure project is still under construction, it is TRWD's goal to have either: an interim use for the subject property until the market supports a long-term use which conforms to the zoning prescribed by the city, or a long-term use that brings expected entertainment and programming element to the Trinity Uptown District and nearby Panther Island Pavilion (go to www.pantherislandpavilion.com to learn more about this new outdoor music venue in Fort Worth.) Under either option, any proposal will need to be flexible to allow for non-exclusive use of the adjacent parking lot depicted in yellow in Exhibit A for special events coordinated or permitted by the Trinity River Vision Authority and TRWD, future construction of planned infrastructure within the site boundary and for potential development.

The site is viewed as a place that could provide and support entertainment opportunities in and along the river thereby generating awareness of the Trinity Uptown District and Panther Island Pavilion both for the general public and for private development interests. It is expected that, to the extent feasible, the existing structure will be used to maintain the history and character of the structure. It was formerly the maintenance facility for the only privately owned subway in the nation at the time, the Tandy Center Subway, which was built in the 1960's by the Leonard family to serve patrons of the Leonard Department Store – an important piece of Fort Worth's history.

Applicants can expect to have uninterrupted use of the northern two-thirds of the building, but should expect to vacate back third of building for expected planned infrastructure needs within 10 years. However, upon completion of plan the site will have adjacent park or pavilion facilities which may be available for ongoing non-exclusive use and programming. It should be expected that any proposed improvements in the yellow area will be temporary and must also be acceptable to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and permissible improvements in the 100-year flood plain by the City of Fort Worth. The area in red is not in the 100-year flood plain therefore can be improved and occupied.

Applicants can base their financial plan on the assumption of a 10-year lease. TRWD will consider either a profit share or flat yearly rate payment structure depending on the details of the proposal.

Proposals shall include a creative business plan for the site that allows the following:

• Use must be year round and have established consistent and regular hours of operation typical of an entertainment, music, or restaurant business.
• Use must have a public entertainment element to activate and draw visitors to the Trinity Uptown Neighborhood District.
• Use must bring a positive element which contributes to the character of Trinity Uptown and the vision for the future.
• Use should consider options that support concession or festival needs of Panther Island Pavilion Waterfront Stage and upcoming Main Stage grounds.
• Must design around upcoming infrastructure construction including streets, riverfront and flood gates and related park areas.
• Yellow area in Exhibit A must accommodate for daytime use of parking lot for Tarrant County College parking.
• Yellow area in Exhibit A must accommodate for use of parking lot for special events associated with Panther Island Pavilion and any other uses TRWD deems necessary.
• Plan should respect and acknowledge the history of the building and the Leonard Tandy Subway by, to the extent feasible, utilizing the existing structure or architectural elements, interior décor, and/or photographs and descriptions.
• Best effort to meet a business opening date of April 1, 2013.

Proposals will be graded on their financial plan, relevant experience, marketing plan, size and capacity of business and ability to meet the criteria listed above.

A pre-proposal meeting and site tour is set for 10:00 AM on Wednesday May 9, 2012 at in Fort Worth Texas.

Key Dates:

Posted
May 1, 2012

Pre-Proposal Conference & Tour
10:00 AM | May 9, 2012

Deadline for Written Questions
4:00 PM | May 16, 2012

Answers to Questions released
4:00 PM | May 21, 2012

Proposals Due
4:00 PM | May 25, 2012

Contact:

JD Granger
Director of Trinity River Development
Tarrant Regional Water District
[email protected]
817-698-0700

Please Note: If you are interested in submitting a proposal please send your email address and contact information to Shanna Cate at [email protected] so that you can receive the maps and exhibits and be put on the list to receive any future addendums and correspondence.