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Monroe County CIB approves RFP for convention-center hotel, orders appraisals and Phase I review for 6-acre site
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Summary
At its April 24 special meeting, the Monroe County Capital Improvement Board unanimously voted to issue a request for proposals for a host hotel on an approximately 6-acre parcel and to authorize two appraisals and Phase I environmental reports; the RFP response deadline was set for June 30 and interviews are planned for early July.
The Monroe County Capital Improvement Board at a special meeting on April 24 approved two resolutions to advance real-estate due diligence and developer selection for the convention center project.
Whitlatch read the board’s first resolution authorizing the issuance of a request for proposals for a host hotel on the roughly 6-acre parcel the board recently acquired. The draft RFP was prepared by JS Held, and the board authorized its president, John Weichart, to execute any documents necessary to issue the RFP. The board set an RFP response deadline of June 30 and said interviews of respondents are expected in early July.
A motion to adopt the RFP resolution was moved and seconded; after brief discussion it passed by roll call with all members present voting yes.
Board members asked whether the RFP should explicitly state the board has no other incentives beyond the land. One board member asked that the RFP make clear what the CIB does and does not offer; Whitlatch said the board would “tell them what we have to offer” and evaluate any additional requests that appear in proposals. Deb, a staff member, said proposers may submit written questions but the board does not plan a pre-proposal conference, consistent with the prior procurement process.
The board then considered a second resolution to authorize procurement of due diligence for the same property. Whitlatch said the action would allow the CIB to obtain a minimum of two independent fair-market-value appraisals and appropriate environmental reports, including a Phase I environmental site assessment. The resolution authorized staff and consultant JSL to solicit proposals and authorized President John Weichart to execute agreements necessary to accept proposals and move forward.
During discussion, Deb estimated a Phase I environmental assessment would “not exceed $10,000” and said it might be several thousand dollars less; she estimated the two independent appraisals together could total roughly $60,000–$70,000. Board members signaled they were comfortable proceeding within those ranges but said they would revisit the matter if costs materially exceeded expectations. The motion to authorize appraisals and environmental reports passed by unanimous roll call vote.
Public comment followed. A speaker representing Homes for All urged the CIB to continue negotiations with the Redevelopment Commission on a land swap to preserve Seminary Point, which the commenter said includes 29 units of affordable housing plus local community spaces such as My Sister’s Closet and Friendly Beast Cider Company. “In a housing crisis, preserving affordable housing isn't just a priority. It's an obligation,” the speaker said. Bryce Green, who identified himself as representing DSA and Homes for All, told the board that a majority of city councilors favor a swap and urged lease extensions for tenants with contracts expiring in July so negotiations can proceed. Matthew, also representing Homes for All, said the group has evidence-based plans and partnerships to address concerns about reuse of properties the Redevelopment Commission might accept in a swap.
The board did not take formal action on the land-swap request during the meeting. The CIB’s next regularly scheduled meeting was set for May 20, 2026, at 3 p.m., and the special meeting was adjourned.
Votes at a glance - Resolution to issue RFP for host hotel: moved and seconded; adopted by roll-call vote (John Weichart — yes; Doug Bruce — yes; Galen Cassidy — yes; Joyce Polling — yes; Jim Silverstein — yes; Jay Baer — yes). Outcome: approved. - Resolution to authorize appraisals and Phase I environmental report: moved and seconded; adopted by roll-call vote (John Weichart — yes; Doug Bruce — yes; Galen Cassidy — yes; Joyce Polling — yes; Jim Silverstein — yes; Jay Baer — yes). Outcome: approved.
What’s next - RFP responses are due June 30; interviews of shortlisted proposers are expected in early July. Staff will solicit proposals for two independent appraisals and Phase I environmental work and return results to the board for review.
Notes on attribution: Quotes and specific technical cost estimates above are drawn from statements by a public commenter representing Homes for All, Bryce Green (DSA, Homes for All), Whitlatch (who presented the resolutions), and Deb (staff). Where the transcript did not identify a speaker by full name, the article uses the speaker labels provided in the meeting record.
