Council approves RFI/RFP process to attract master developer for 84-acre airport-adjacent business park

The City of Lincoln directed staff on July 22 to release a two-step marketing process (an initial request for information followed by a formal request for proposals) to identify a master developer for an 84-acre city-owned site adjacent to Lincoln Regional Airport.

Economic development staff said the site's size, proximity to the airport and Highway 65 and existing nearby infrastructure make it suited to employment-generating uses such as aviation-related businesses, clean-energy manufacturing, and advanced manufacturing. The staff plan calls for an initial RFI period to solicit industry feedback and assess interest, followed by an RFP that will ask master developers for site plans, financial strategies and infrastructure delivery plans. A virtual pre-bid conference will allow prospective developers to visit the site and ask questions.

City staff and a regional economic development advisor said prior marketing efforts produced limited traction; the two-phase RFI/RFP approach is intended to widen market outreach and make it easier for prospective developers to determine whether a proposal is feasible before investing substantial resources in a full response. City staff noted the council can then evaluate proposals against city priorities such as job creation, fiscal return and compatibility with airport operations.

Council gave staff direction to proceed; staff said they will return with timeline milestones and will run a public outreach component as part of the solicitation.