CITY HALL PLAZA REDEVELOPMENT

The City of East Orange, New Jersey, is actively soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) and performance data from highly experienced and financially capable developers for the transformative redevelopment of its prominent City Hall Plaza. This significant urban renewal initiative targets all or a portion of the Plaza, strategically located at 44 City Hall Plaza, bordered by the East Orange train station, Munn Avenue, Arlington Avenue, and New Street. The comprehensive scope of work encompasses revitalization of multiple key sites, including vacant land (Site 1: Block 373, Lots 5, 5.01, 5.02), the former daycare center building (Site 2: Block 251, Lots 5 and 6) slated for demolition and higher-density development, the former Police Headquarters building and municipal parking lots (Site 3: Block 250.01, Lot 2; Block 250, Lots 25, 3, 2) envisioned for municipal offices and/or commercial uses with a parking deck, and the East Orange Train Station (Site 4: Block 387, Lots 1, 2) through a potential long-term sublease from NJ Transit. The overarching objectives include enhancing public appeal, increasing walkability, integrating high-quality retail and eating establishments, enriching urban design with public art, boosting transit ridership, ensuring adequate parking, and consolidating City departments within the revitalized Plaza. This project aligns with the City's broader Transit Village Redevelopment Area goals, aiming to create a bustling, walkable corridor with street-level retail and residential/office uses. Prospective developers must demonstrate robust financial capacity, providing bank and other financing source references, and highlight experience with unique financing structures and public accountability in past development projects. Essential qualifications also include extensive overall development experience, particularly with mixed-use developments incorporating public uses. Respondents should detail their approach to programmatic, construction, and environmental challenges, as well as their history of partnerships with Minority/Women and Local Business Enterprises (M/W/LBEs). Compliance with New Jersey statutory requirements is mandatory, including N.J.S.A. 10:5-33 et seq. Affirmative Action, N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq. for Contract Compliance and Equal Employment Opportunities, and N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2 for Disclosure of Ownership. Furthermore, all professional service contractors must possess a valid N.J. Business Registration Certificate and maintain Professional Liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000.00 per occurrence and $3,000,000.00 aggregate. A highly recommended Pre-Proposal Conference and Site Visit is scheduled for Monday, April 1, 2024, at 11:00 AM in the Municipal Council Chamber, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. RSVP for the site visit is required by 4:30 PM on March 26, 2024, via email to Racquel.Ferguson@eastorange-nj.gov, UNLOCK including firm name and attendee details. Statements of Qualifications must be meticulously prepared and submitted by the strict deadline of Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 11:00 AM, prevailing time. Submissions require one (1) original, four (4) hard copies, and one (1) electronic copy on a flash drive. All materials must be enclosed in a sealed envelope, clearly marked with the consultant's name and the title "CITY HALL PLAZA REDEVELOPMENT," and addressed to the Purchasing Agent, City of East Orange, City Hall, 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange, NJ 07018. Required submission documents include, but are not limited to, a Business Entity Disclosure Certification, Non-Collusion Affidavit, Disclosure of Ownership Form, Insurance Requirement Acknowledgement, EEO/Affirmative Action Compliance Notice, Americans with Disabilities Act Acknowledgement, a copy of the Business Registration Certificate, Professional Service Entity Information Form, Qualification Affidavit, Submission Form, Acknowledgement of Corrections/Additions/Deletions Form, Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran, Statement of Indebtedness, Agreement for Payment of Commodity/Service Form, Letter of Intent, and Letter of Qualification. All questions regarding this RFQ must be submitted in writing via email to Racquel.Ferguson@eastorange-nj.gov UNLOCK with the subject line "RFQ QUESTIONS" by 2:00 PM on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Direct contact with other City staff or consultants regarding this solicitation is prohibited and may lead to disqualification.