By Tasha Anderson for AZBEX
The Town of Youngtown is looking for a developer to help design, develop and manage a new mixed-use development on a one-acre, vacant parcel at the western end of Wisconsin Avenue within the Grand Avenue District.
A Request for Proposals was recently published to the Town’s website, which announces that they plan to enter into a long-term lease agreement with, “the most qualified team that demonstrates knowledge, experience, organization and financial ability to implement a progressive, innovative, mixed-use entertainment development in a timely manner that serves the best interests of the Town.”
The Town and the developer will work as a public-private partnership to determine the most practical development for that area, which may include uses such as family entertainment, high density residential, specialty retail and/or restaurants. According to the RFP, “The Developer will be challenged to develop a project that emulates the character and quality of the Youngtown community, provides environmentally sensitive facilities, and reflects sound management principals and financial feasibility.”
The RFP notes that though development of the whole site is not necessary, they will consider phased development.
A pre-proposal conference will be held at 1:00 p.m. on July 29th at the Youngtown Town Hall, where they will answer any questions and clarify the contents of the Request for Proposal. All interested parties must submit their proposals no later than 4:00 p.m. on September 10th.
The timeline shows a projects award to be made by the Town Council on November 4th, with the development agreement between the town and the awardee finalized by January 20th, 2022. A Notice to Proceed for the project is expected to be issued by February 7th, 2022.
“The Town of Youngtown recognizes that the development of a mixed-use development project in the Grand Avenue District would bring significant benefits to the Town, its residents and surrounding communities,” the RFP states. “The Grand Avenue District has been designed to be the commercial, cultural and civic core of the community.”