City economic development staff presented a template for request-for-proposals (RFPs) on Nov. 25 aimed at guiding future sales and redevelopment of city-owned land.

The presenter told the council the RFP would allow Hamtramck to set expectations for what it wants from development projects — including community engagement, infrastructure coordination and design compatibility — rather than awarding parcels solely on price. "We want developers to understand why they should invest in Hamtramck," the presenter said, describing a public process of site selection, drafting, scoring and council approval.

Councilmembers pressed staff on the city’s limited inventory of residential parcels and whether higher standards could deter bidders. Staff answered that the RFP framework preserves room for negotiation — for example, on price, zoning variances or tax incentives — so the city can balance community benefits with competitiveness.

Staff said the template highlights Hamtramck’s strengths, including recent infrastructure upgrades, flexible zoning and active business districts. The template also includes draft scoring metrics and instructions for publishing proposals publicly and bringing a recommended award back to council for approval.

The presentation concluded with staff offering to return with the RFP in final form after subcommittee review and public input. No formal vote was required; councilmembers signaled support to continue developing the tool.

The discussion signals the city’s intent to take a more proactive role in shaping development outcomes while keeping procurement transparent and compliant with open-public-meeting rules.