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.