https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2024/08/16/mount-holly-downtown-development-project.html Mount Holly seeks developer for downtown mixed-use project The city of Mount Holly is trying to spur development activity in its downtown area. This week, the city issued a request for qualifications from developers for its Veterans Park expansion project. Mount Holly is seeking "a transformative, mixed-use catalyst project" at a 4.8-acre site off East Central Avenue. The city's RFQ documents state the ideal project for the site would include multifamily housing, commercial/retail space, parking and/or recreational amenities. The city is planning to maintain an adjacent, 2.3-acre parcel for a park. "Once completed, the park’s location will serve as the epicenter of the expanded downtown district and the Municipal Complex," the city wrote in its request. Earlier this year, Mount Holly initiated a request for proposals process for the 4.8-acre site. Documents show the city "saw a lot of interest from developers and received several written questions." But no developers submitted proposals by the June 28 deadline. The city received feedback from developers that the RFP process is time consuming and costly. "Based on this information, the City decided that an alternative RFQ process would not be of great expense, in both time and costs, to the development community, but it would allow the City to review qualifications packets, interview qualified developers, and finally, choose the most-qualified developer in order to make this project a reality," the RFQ documents read. The deadline for responses to the RFQ is Oct. 11. The city of Mount Holly has been working with McAdams since 2021 to develop plans for the Veterans Park expansion project. One concept in RFQ documents shows a plan with 138 apartments, nine townhomes, 6,570 square feet of retail space and parking. ------------------------------------------------------------ All questions must be submitted in writing to the proposal correspondent named above by 5:00 PM, Friday, May 3, 2024. Written emails will be accepted with the subject line Veterans Park RFP Question. All emailed questions must be submitted to Planning Director Greg Beal at greagbeal@mtholly.us The City of Mount Holly, NC (City) is seeking proposals for a transformative, mixed-use catalyst project from interested developers, to be located on a 4.808-acre site, within Historic Downtown Mount Holly. The City's intent is to foster and encourage a signature mixed-use project for Mount Holly and the region, while retaining a 2.28-acre adjacent assemblage of land for a park and related amenities. Direct inquiries to gregbeal@mtholly.us. The City of Mount Holly, NC (City) is seeking proposals for a transformative, mixed-use catalyst project from interested developers, to be located on a site, within Historic Downtown Mount Holly. The site, more-specifically, is located between East Catawba Avenue to the south, East Central Avenue to the north, South Main Street to the west and Highland Street to the east. The City's intent is to foster and encourage a signature mixed-use project for Mount Holly and the region. The area of opportunity for the purposes of this RFP is the City-owned "Veterans Park Expansion Project Area" (See Exhibit 3). This property is 4.808 acres is total size and is owned by the City of Mount Holly or otherwise, is under contract to purchase by the City. This is defined as the Project Development Area, which can be found in the attached survey, labeled Exhibit 7. The Project Development Area is bordered to its east by several parcels totaling 2.28 total acres in size and owned by the City of Mount Holly. The City seeks to retain this 2.28 acres of land for a park and related amenities. Additionally, the City also owns the existing Veterans Park, totaling 1.56 acres in size, as well as an adjacent parcel, Parcel ID # 123769, totaling 0.83 acres in size, as referenced on Exhibits 5 and 6 in the attachments. The City is open to proposals for the existing Veterans Park area. The Project Development Area property, totaling 4.808 acres in size, identified in this RFP, is being offered for sale and redevelopment. The City is not confined to a particular development structure and looks to the proposer to present an arrangement that would result in the highest quality development, consistent with the community's vision for downtown. The proposer's ability to understand, implement, and manage essential elements of a successful development, such as the ability to finance, design, construct, operate, and maintain all improvements, that are inclusive of the project in its entirety, is of high importance. Based on the official survey, the Project Development Area for the Veterans Park Expansion Project contains sixteen (16) separate parcels, totaling 209,354 square feet or 4.808 acres in size. The City owns or has a contract to purchase these parcels, as referenced in the Exhibit 7 survey. Currently, there are two existing single-family homes, as well as two multifamily structures, on the East Catawba Avenue (southern) side of the Project Development Area. There are seven (7) commercial buildings, as well as two (2) metal outbuildings on the East Central Avenue (northern) side of the Project Development Area. Two properties, each containing a commercial building, located at 204 and 206 East Central Avenue, Parcel ID #s 123831 and 123832, are not a part of the Project Development Area and are not under a contract to purchase. The commercial buildings along East Central Avenue are a mix of older buildings, ranging from the year1900, but mostly constructed in the 1950's through 1970's. The Strategic Vision Plan Update notes that many of these commercial buildings are set back from the street with front parking, lending to a more suburban look that feels out-of-place in the downtown area of Mount Holly; please refer to Exhibit 3a in the attachments for the South Main Small Area Plan. The Plan notes under Goal 3.4.1 that over time and as the property owner considers redevelopment, the City should encourage infill development that faces East Central Avenue, has two to three stories of development with ground floor retail (or office), and upper floor residential (or office). Furthermore, under Goal 3.4.2, the City should Consolidate and Develop More Efficient Parking Behind Buildings. With the City's ownership of Municipal Lane, creative measures can be undertaken with the awarded proposer and their respective proposal, including closing Municipal Lane for a more efficient use of the property. In terms of parking area development, the City is not opposed to parking structures to encourage a more efficient use of the property. In implementing mixed-use or commercial infill development along East Central Avenue, the proposer should consider tree-planting measures, build-to standards along the street and safe crosswalks, as outlined under Goal 3.4.3 of the Vision Plan, referenced on Page 66 of that document. The two photos below highlight current conditions, as well as noting an example of landscaping, build-to-street standards and architectural options.