Uses can include health care, technology, research, education, retail and hospitality; no residential use will be considered
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that New York state has issued request for proposals for the purchase and development of 27 acres of prime real estate on the east side of the Governor W. Averell Harriman State Office Campus in Albany.
The RFP calls for a plan that builds on the current redevelopment of the existing campus, reflects the area’s character and increases the city of Albany’s tax base through a wide range of potential options including companies in the health care, technology, research, education, retail and hospitality sectors.
Uses could include offices, medical and laboratory facilities, retail shops, lodging, and ancillary parking. A minimum purchase price of $5.1 million is required. Any proposal that includes residential use will not be accepted.
“The Harriman Campus offers a unique opportunity for private development in the Capital Region where public-private partnerships and investments are already fueling high-tech job growth and educational opportunities,” Cuomo said. “As the University at Albany progresses with its E-Tech project right next door, this land is set up to play a critical role in the further growth of the region’s innovative industries and expanding Albany’s tax base.”
Proposals will be reviewed in two phases, with the first response being due on September 15.
In these initial responses, potential developers must provide a description of the proposed uses for the site and demonstrate the need for or likely success of those uses. A list of potential tenants, a site plan and architectural designs and summary of the developers’ experience in completing similar projects will also be required.
The initial responses will be reviewed and evaluated by the New York State Office of General Services’ Real Estate Center based on the proposed development concept’s quality, design and alignment with the state’s development objectives, as well as its compatibility with the design and function of existing and proposed uses of the campus.
The evaluation will also take into account a potential developer’s experience in designing, engineering, constructing, financing, leasing, operating, and managing projects of similar size and complexity.
“This large parcel is uniquely situated in a bustling business growth location, so we anticipate a great deal of private-sector interest in the RFP that was released today,” said Office of General Services Commissioner RoAnn Destito. “Not only will the redevelopment of this parcel stimulate economic growth, it will also provide additional revenue for the city, its schools, and the county.”
The three respondents who receive the highest scores in the first step of the application process will be notified later in the fall and be given approximately 30 days to provide a detailed financial plan for project funding along with completed vendor responsibility documents and the proposed purchase price.
The review team will then evaluate the additional part-two information and select one proposal from the finalists to move forward based upon a weighted scoring system with 60 percent of the score based on phase one of the application and 40 percent based on phase two.
Development of the site will begin following approvals by the Office of the Attorney General and Office of the State Comptroller, a closing on the purchase, and the completion of an environmental review of the project.
