[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6152745,"mediaKeyId","5496501-82f17affd3ac3b278bfd0f884c3907da","parentId",5496501,"title","Commission directs staff to prepare public solicitation for community center site; title search pending","audioSeconds",6185,"startMs",2465000,"endMs",8650000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5496501-82f17affd3ac3b278bfd0f884c3907da&start=2465&end=8650","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5496501-82f17affd3ac3b278bfd0f884c3907da/thumbnail_2465000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6152745/Florida/Commission-directs-staff-to-prepare-public-solicitation-for-community-center-site-title-search-pending","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152745-f86522b8138f705b423439277ed88c46/orig.mp4?Expires=1775305706&Signature=TkCIbORvQtLK8I-k8KatDZmrcD73TNFYdlF-tIIETQdCRQgJ8LHw005ixd1llpDFNGEV5Nq-AmOIJvBzMv6yPpiR3CDUXCuUL4uEQU1tUKibAtbuQULZhSHOCM96WCRhFXE9Uwb-1SyVb8v8k7FMgaKHe6v0LGJzryehovD~HPktrfYop5uNzDdbxrgyX-2EcmH-p~DSfOfh4z08ki4KIJKdJqKBW0yxlOs7DdrDo6kE5ggbkwI4WzcN61iW5BTPbYACetqm6DUGe9TwHpyNqnKxu85o7-2d1ThH4Py5Q4XD2yW-dtur53WBYMWWqIVHyokZjg-CNyhUIj7NTyRAcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Eustis, FL","date","2025-07-25T18:53:54Z","article","The City Commission instructed staff to prepare a public solicitation for proposals related to the community center site in the CRA area and to follow statutory public-notice rules for disposal of CRA-owned property. Staff said a title review for the site is expected back next week and reminded commissioners that state law requires public notice and an opportunity for competing proposals before the city may dispose of CRA property.

Why it matters: Two proposals or interests have been discussed publicly for the community center site; commissioners emphasized that any unsolicited proposal that involves CRA property must be advertised so others can submit competing proposals. Staff said that statutory notice requirements include published advertisements and posting so the public and other developers can respond.

What the commission directed: Commissioners directed staff to prepare the public solicitation and associated notice and to return with a draft. During the workshop commissioners expressed a preference to limit the initial solicitation to the community center parcel (not to tie in an adjacent downtown parcel that one proposer had sought to include). Commissioners also discussed an advertisement window: staff advised the statutory minimum and Commissioners discussed opening responses for 45 days; several commissioners asked staff to prepare a 45-day response window following public notice and to work the timeline so the solicitation does not fall wholly into the holiday season.

Legal and procedural notes: Staff and the city attorney (staff) reminded the Commission that the CRA/public-land disposal process requires publishing notice (the transcript refers to the statutory public-notice requirement) and distributing the unsolicited proposal information so that competing proposers can respond. If the Commission chooses not to move forward with an unsolicited proposal the city may decline it, but if the Commission considers it the public-notice process must run. Staff noted appraisals and title work as part of the process and said the title review was pending.

Next steps and caveats: Staff will: obtain the completed title search for the community center site; prepare draft public-notice language and an RFP/RFQ tailored to the Commission’s direction; and return to the Commission with the draft and a recommended response period. Commissioners emphasized they retain final approval of any sale or developer agreement and can reject any proposals.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Workshop: Downtown Development and the Eustis Community Center Site - 18 July, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Commission directed staff to prepare public notice and a solicitation for the community center site and to follow statutory CRA disposal procedures once title questions are resolved.","taxTitle","City of Eustis, Lake County, Florida","taxId",71128,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6152740,"Commission debates consultant roles, marketing approach and second opinion; agrees to engage consultant outreach and invite a second opinion",7662,366000,8028000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5496501-82f17affd3ac3b278bfd0f884c3907da&start=366&end=8028","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5496501-82f17affd3ac3b278bfd0f884c3907da/thumbnail_366000.jpg","/articles/6152740/Florida/Commission-debates-consultant-roles-marketing-approach-and-second-opinion-agrees-to-engage-consultant-outreach-and-invite-a-second-opinion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152740-f0fc5fa4e01abe46f8626f8a1dbaf841/orig.mp4?Expires=1775305706&Signature=fl87aIUxxegFImTnP9Vsw8p2Q16SJWRVw7rHLqANEaKyk4wElts~XaBU-~WRGIWXfwFwyjeFSkWPPg1gIUVUmfys0~tZwn5duiLRMVbzxvaXiEK9R7~rGJQYEptFQ6YaRCkQ4DNz40xC776Ee9jXBD~Ahmpo~pNdUAwsiAXoOp7MTyd6UWGZpbLnPcT1vrw7~2xC7o4tVjkmZkV~P-vF~iEv61GVDTei4eXe5ZcOV6jE6Q8n6esjEstNLl1wtF3MlqI9OhmAwXLs4U5B7ZWwNssvCES9L6P2HgCLiI7oDZPpUoZVoFvL7VDKhuGwVfHI7q-iq499LwkLLzN-Inqiww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commission spent substantial time assessing consultant roles, the city’s marketing capacity and whether to seek a second professional opinion on downtown redevelopment strategy. Advisory consultant Mike Golan described a data-driven outreach approach to developers and said he would make direct personal contacts to tell the market story for Eustis. \"The way to cut through that noise... is for us to do the analysis ahead of time,\" Golan said.

Several commissioners said they want a second, local perspective. Multiple speakers suggested inviting Dr. Levy—whom commissioners described as active in Lake County redevelopment—to a public workshop to present his recommendations. Commission direction was: allow the assigned consultant to begin outreach (60–90 days was discussed) and staff will schedule a public workshop to hear Dr. Levy or another local redevelopment practitioner. Commissioners insisted any private, one-on-one conversations with additional consultants or proposers be avoided and recommended a public forum to preserve transparency.

Other points: Commissioners also debated the differences between three forms of outreach discussed in the meeting: 1) investor-targeted outreach that presents market and feasibility data to developers (the consultant’s role); 2) an ongoing city marketing program to promote Eustis broadly (staff/communications role); and 3) a facilitated design charrette or commissioner workshop to refine the local vision (facilitator role). Commissioners asked staff to scope options for each and to report which should be procured separately versus combined into a single contract.

Next steps: Staff will ask the consultant to begin developer outreach per the Commission’s direction, prepare a short scope or task order (cost estimate was discussed), and coordinate a public workshop to hear a second opinion from Dr. Levy (or another named local consultant). Commissioners emphasized they will retain final authority and that any further engagement should be transparent and consistent with procurement rules.","The Commission authorized targeted developer outreach by its retained consultant and asked staff to schedule a public workshop to receive a second local redevelopment opinion, while emphasizing transparency and separate procurement for marketing work.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6152750,"Commission directs targeted marketing of downtown master-plan sites, tells staff to close prior RFQ",6104,33000,6137000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5496501-82f17affd3ac3b278bfd0f884c3907da&start=33&end=6137","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5496501-82f17affd3ac3b278bfd0f884c3907da/thumbnail_33000.jpg","/articles/6152750/Florida/Commission-directs-targeted-marketing-of-downtown-master-plan-sites-tells-staff-to-close-prior-RFQ","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152750-21344bf033eb4b75612c3897a8cb52ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1775305706&Signature=G0n7QWPS6nWO98TLBmqM03DkSH2h0zhJ5QP9oAAB0y66nCQF6IjwNWR05pCgu9~byQF5TTF-g8uZ2rNovc7ESmpzS7VhTaGqNapqyg5QivbxurRZVCqQoanhqMAlJQvkMwZpa4BQ~MD3QyvNiSxpwVvb5bzbxuf3vfhob3jK9bCRTbN1LK93nP4CDw7SXey4tZ3tH-yGGDeZkpv9RbfHKYkmrOptUpQIFE6otHQ5jAC6CbO1juW65H7CGwvG9rh8mjkzubyMhzsoBEHyDpjaiN6dC8aTZ~zppaWf0ziND8KSPXbEZeclaSDk02HL4MVPCTRNJv9yPai57juQSMtY3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission directed staff to close the previous request-for-qualifications process for downtown redevelopment and to move forward with a targeted marketing effort to attract developers for the three-block Waterman site and adjacent master-plan areas. The decision followed a presentation by advisory consultant Mike Golan about using market data to attract investor interest.\"A master plan is a living, sort of, breathing document,\" Golan said, arguing the city should use data to tell a market story before prescribing specific uses.

Why it matters: Commission members said prior outreach and the earlier RFQ/RFP rounds produced limited responses and that a focused, data-driven outreach could deliver more financially qualified developers. Staff and commissioners emphasized that a new solicitation should follow—after outreach—to ensure one-on-one outreach does not violate procurement rules once a solicitation is active.

Golan recommended a two-step approach: 1) present the market story to developers and make direct contact to generate interest (he estimated the outreach effort at about $30,000 and 60–90 days of active contact), and 2) follow that with a formal RFP or RFQ once interest and financial feasibility questions have been answered. Tom (staff member) summarized the reset from earlier work on the Waterman site: \"We hit the reset button,\" he said, referring to the Commission's decision not to advance the previous developer proposal from G3C2.

Commissioners voiced a mix of impatience and support for the plan. Some said the marketing should start immediately and be paired with clearer direction about what the Commission expects to see in future solicitations. Others asked staff to preserve the city’s ability to specify uses in an RFP if the Commission chooses to do so. Several commissioners also asked that any one-on-one developer meetings be done before a solicitation issues, because the procurement process limits individual contact once an RFP/RFQ is active.

Details and next steps: Commissioners asked staff to: wrap up the prior RFQ tied to G3C2; permit the consultant to begin outreach to development firms; and prepare a new solicitation after the outreach period. Staff noted the procurement rules require that, once a solicitation is issued, questions and answers must be distributed to all potential respondents and one-on-one meetings are not allowed. The Commission did not adopt a formal motion or recorded roll-call vote; the record shows direction and consensus toward closing the earlier RFQ and pursuing the outreach strategy.

Background: The downtown master plan—paid for in prior work and discussed repeatedly during the workshop—identifies an existing core, an expanded core and an aspirational core around the Waterman site. Commission discussion repeatedly returned to the need for parking analysis, feasibility data and careful sequencing so redevelopment does not unduly disrupt downtown businesses.

What to expect next: Staff will proceed to administratively close the prior RFQ file, the consultant will begin outreach with developers as directed, and staff will return with a recommended timeline and a draft solicitation (RFP or RFQ) for Commission consideration.","After a consultant presentation, the commission agreed to end the previous RFQ process tied to G3C2, ask the city's consultant to market the downtown master-plan sites to developers, and then issue a new solicitation. Commissioners discussed a 60–90 day outreach window and an estimated $30,000 budget for that effort.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission directs staff to prepare public solicitation for community center site; title search pending

Commission debates consultant roles, marketing approach and second opinion; agrees to engage consultant outreach and invite a second opinion

Commission directs targeted marketing of downtown master-plan sites, tells staff to close prior RFQ