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City releases downtown-refresh RFQ framework to solicit developers; staff to post solicitation soon
Summary
City staff briefed council on a downtown-refresh request for qualifications (RFQ) to attract developers for highlighted properties including the Manchester Inn, Sunshine/Snyder Ford building and First National Bank building.
City staff updated council Tuesday on a draft request for qualifications (RFQ) intended to solicit development interest for Downtown Middletown and several city‑owned properties.
Jacob Schulte, assistant community and economic development director, told council staff and community stakeholders had worked through a series of working sessions to refine the RFQ. The document will describe development expectations, provide market metrics (foot traffic, vehicular counts, population and socioeconomic data) and highlight catalytic properties — including the Manchester Inn, the Sunshine (Snyder Ford) building, the First National (First Financial) building, and several small vacant lots on North Broad Street.
Schulte said the RFQ will be intentionally open-ended to attract a range of development concepts, from catalytic mixed‑use proposals to smaller infill projects, and that staff plan a 30‑day submission window after the RFQ release. The city intends to use the RFQ as a marketing document to expand the set of developers considering Middletown beyond staff’s existing contacts and the Butler County Finance Authority’s network. Staff expect to post the RFQ on the city’s bid opportunities page and to provide contact information through the Community & Economic Development office for developers and citizens who want to make direct referrals.
Councilmembers emphasized the need for realistic timelines and for protecting historic assets during redevelopment. Councilmember Horn urged that developers be prepared to address urgent structural concerns — for example roofing and parapet repairs at the Manchester Inn — and suggested RFQ language and subsequent negotiations reflect those immediate needs. Schulte said staff hope to post the RFQ in the next week and return RFQ responses to council for deliberation around an October 7 timeline.
No formal award was made; this briefing was to confirm the RFQ approach and timeline and to solicit final input from council and stakeholders before the solicitation is released.
