1. INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND

1.1 Background

Macon-Bibb Consolidated County Government (“Macon” or “the County”) was formed in 2014 pursuant to the consolidation of the Bibb County and City of Macon governments. Macon is committed to driving an energetic and competitive economy that increases quality of life for our residents and businesses. As a byproduct of the consolidation of the two governments, the County now holds excess real estate that it prefers to return to productive use. To that end the County seeks a development partner that specializes in adaptive reuse of historic buildings in order to convert certain government owned assets into new, productive uses.

Macon-Bibb sits the Center of the State of Georgia, approximately one hundred and fifty miles east of the Port of Savannah and one hundred miles South of Atlanta. Given its central location and significant potential as a future logistics and corporate hub, Macon has experienced steady growth since 2012 and anticipates continued growth moving forward. Downtown Macon has experienced a residential boon over the last several years due, in part, to urbanization trends nationally. Additionally, Downtown Macon houses Mercer University Law School and Navicent Health Systems. Downtown’s retail vacancy remains fairly high, but continues to steadily decline.

The County owns the property located at 682 Cherry Street (the “building”), Macon GA (Floor plans and photos included). This eleven (11) story property is the current location of the Macon-Bibb County Government Center Annex and houses several county departments. The building dates back to 1941 and has undergone substantial renovations during its years in service but maintains many original historic and unique features.

This RFP seeks to find a development partner interested in structuring a partnership with the County. The County is open to a variety of public/private partnership options which could include a joint venture structure or a long-term lease and expects that any future development incorporates mixed-use elements. The County seeks to maximize long-term revenue for both parties and generate economic benefit for the government and the potential partner. The ideal developer will have experience in a) adaptive reuse, b) historic tax credit financed projects and c) public/private partnerships.

Macon seeks proposals from qualified developers interested in undertaking this significant project. In seeking a potential partner, the County is seeking a developer with the referenced experience and encourages creativity in developer responses to this procurement.

In addition to the referenced economic benefit, the County hopes that this development will further catalyze Downtown’s economic resurgence while maintaining its distinct and historic feel. Given that the State of Georgia recently revised its State Historic Tax Credit regime, it is anticipated that the Developer will be able to avail itself of the typical Federal Historic Tax Credit regime and Georgia’s uncapped Historic Tax Credit Regime. (A copy of Georgia’s revised tax credit legislation is included) Tax credit availability will require final design approval from the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO); the County is willing to make any final agreement contingent upon SHPO design approval. Additionally, the County has identified several potential parking options for the site; the site lacks onsite parking but several options exist in very close proximity to the building. As such, as part of the final development agreement, the County anticipates working with the selected Development Partner to ascertain a permanent parking solution in short order and is willing to also provide a deal contingency with regard to a parking solution.
The County’s chosen development partner will enter into a development agreement which will more fully set forth the terms and conditions of the Selected Developer’s development of the Project (the “Development Agreement”). The terms and conditions of the Development Agreement are more particularly described in Section 4 of this RFP.

The County will select the Selected Developer based on qualifications, references, and financial capability to execute the Project (see Sections 4 through 8 below).

Submissions in response to this Request for Proposals are due June 9, 2016 – 12:00 pm EDT. Responses received after the date and time prescribed may not be considered for contract award and shall be returned to the Offeror at the discretion of the County. For a full schedule of activities and key dates, see Section 2 below. A pre-bid conference is scheduled for 10:00 o’clock a.m., Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at Procurement Department at 700 Poplar Street Suite 308, Macon, Ga 31201.
2. SUMMARY OF KEY DATES

The overall schedule for accepting and reviewing Responses and Developer Selection is:

RFP 16-058-CW

Attachment A – Required Submittal Documents

Final Addendum #1

Downtown Macon Study