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Port to issue RFP for Heron's Head EcoCenter lease; community asks for selection‑panel seat
Summary
Port staff will issue a competitive RFP to lease the EcoCenter at Heron's Head Park with $1/year rent and port‑assumed maintenance; community speakers urged a community representative on the evaluation panel and staff said they would explore that option.
The Port Commission authorized staff to issue a request for proposals to lease the EcoCenter at Heron's Head Park after staff outlined proposed terms and community members urged meaningful involvement in the selection process.
Carol Bach, Environmental Affairs Manager in Planning and Development, said the EcoCenter is approximately 2,300 square feet and sits on a 6,058 square‑foot license area at Jennings Street. Staff proposed making the site available through a competitive RFP with a minimum 5‑year term and two 2‑year options, a nominal rent of $1 per year, and the port assuming most maintenance and repair after the ownership transfers to the port. The RFP would require proposers to keep the EcoCenter open to the public at least four days a week, including one weekend day, and to submit an operations plan and financial information demonstrating capacity to deliver the public‑benefit programs.
Bach said staff had notified more than 425 local organizations and planned outreach, tours during October, and a proposal due date of November 8 (pre‑submittal conference moved from Oct. 8 to Oct. 10 due to a scheduling conflict). She told commissioners that taking maintenance and repair onto the port "will broaden the range of potential respondents ... and make the opportunity more financially feasible."
Public speakers with ties to the EcoCenter — James Bryant (AFL of Randolph Institute Western Region) and Wendy Brummer (board member of Ledge, the nonprofit that built the EcoCenter) — urged that the selection panel include a community representative and that the port assist prospective tenants in finding grant funding and capacity building. Bach told commissioners she would coordinate with the Southern Waterfront Advisory Committee (SWAC) and others to explore having a community member participate in the selection process.
Commissioners discussed financial capacity concerns and port assistance; they voted to authorize issuance of the RFP. The clerk announced "Resolution number 1338 has passed." Staff said they will return with evaluation results and a recommended lease for commission approval.
Next steps: issue RFP, conduct outreach and tours, evaluate proposals, return to the commission with a recommended tenant and final lease terms.
