Reconfiguration committee gives SEH green light to issue RFI for Richland County school-site redevelopment
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Summary
The Richland County Reconfiguration Committee approved a motion to let SEH issue a request for interest (RFI) to solicit developer teams and concepts for redevelopment of county-owned school properties. The RFI would be nonbinding, seek site tours and responses by mid-April, and could lead to negotiations or an RFP.
The Richland County Reconfiguration Committee voted to authorize staff and consultant SEH to issue a request for interest to solicit development teams and redevelopment concepts for county-owned school-site properties.
The committee’s authorization, moved by Mister Berry and seconded by Mister Schoonover, was approved by voice vote after members discussed the scope of the RFI, developer access for optional site tours and how any future transfer or incentives might be structured. The chair said the RFI is “just gauging interest” and does not commit the county to a sale or specific terms.
Staff described the RFI as an early-stage document that will include background, a site map, the county’s vision, preferred land-use concepts and submission requirements. Presenter 9 summarized the timeline: the county aims to issue the RFI by mid‑March, offer an optional site tour, and request responses roughly a month later; staff would then evaluate submissions and decide whether to enter negotiations or issue an RFP.
Committee members pressed staff on how transfers would work and what the county might be expected to provide. One member asked, “Do we give it to them for a dollar? How does the transfer happen?” Presenter 3 replied that the RFI is intended to start a dialogue with developers so the county can understand what incentives or public‑private partnerships might be needed.
Members also raised practical concerns about site access during tours and interactions with adjacent property owners. Presenter 3 said respondents would likely want to see the buildings, topography and areas proposed for demolition but that staff did not expect wide access into crop fields or woods.
The RFI will preserve the county’s discretion: staff said the document will include disclaimers that responses are nonbinding and that the county may cancel, modify or reject proposals. The committee set April 29 at 4 p.m. as its next meeting to review responses.
What happens next: SEH will finalize the RFI for issuance; staff will post the RFI, host an optional site tour, and return to the committee after responses are received to recommend next steps.
Vote and motion: The motion to permit SEH to proceed with the RFI was moved by Mister Berry and seconded by Mister Schoonover; the motion passed on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.
