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Council directs staff to prepare RFP for mixed‑use development at 1348 Main Street
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Summary
City staff will draft a targeted RFP/ENA to seek a development partner for 1348 Main Street after council discussion about preferred uses, parking, ADA access, and building height; the measure passed unanimously.
The Columbus City Council directed staff on April 13 to prepare a targeted request for proposals (RFP) and exclusive negotiating agreement (ENA) for a mixed‑use development at 1348 Main Street following detailed council input on uses, design and community goals.
Staff member Chris (speaker 5) described the approach as a partnership model — an ENA leading toward a memorandum of understanding and ultimately a purchase/lease or other agreement — that would solicit proposals from the two firms that previously responded to the RFQ and were judged qualified. “We’re really trying to get a developer that we feel confident we can work through a project with,” staff said, explaining the RFP will include a scoring matrix and parameters such as parking minimums and maximum building heights.
Councilors debated how specific the RFP should be. Some advocated for flexibility to attract multiple viable proposals; others asked the RFP to reflect community goals such as ground‑floor businesses, pedestrian activation, and design compatibility with downtown. Parking emerged as a recurring concern: one councilor urged that parking be addressed in proposals, while others said rigid ratios could rule out otherwise strong proposals.
Accessibility and cost tradeoffs also featured in the discussion. Council members noted building code and market expectations may require elevators if housing is placed above ground‑floor businesses, and staff cautioned that adding elevators and other amenities raises project costs.
After discussion, Councilor Caseman moved and the council seconded a directive for staff to prepare the RFP for 1348 Main Street based on council input; the motion passed unanimously.
What happens next: staff will draft the RFP and scoring matrix, incorporate council priorities (aesthetics, parking, accessibility and downtown activation), and return to council with a draft for review; staff indicated the RFP period will likely run several weeks to allow firm proposals.
