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Council approves RFP process for 1348 Main Street; members debate committee involvement and building height limits
Summary
Council approved an RFP and scoring process for redevelopment of 1348 Main Street, set an expedited review timeline for early August, and debated whether the Housing & Economic Development Committee should participate in scoring and whether the code’s eight-story allowance fits town character.
City staff presented an RFP for redevelopment of 1348 Main Street and asked the council to authorize the procurement process and scoring approach. Staff said two firms will present, score sheets will be provided to each councilor, and the city expects proposals due in the first part of August with council deliberation and selection at a subsequent meeting.
During discussion, several council members asked whether the Housing & Economic Development Committee could be included in the review. Staff proposed distributing the score sheets to committee members so they could submit independent scores to be combined with the council’s scores; some council members supported committee participation while others expressed concern that a joint meeting or combined scoring process could raise procedural questions for the RFP process. Staff emphasized that the city would follow its RFP scoring rules and would not alter scores after they are submitted.
A councilor also flagged development-code language in the packet (page 13) noting the C-1 district currently allows buildings up to eight stories. The councilor said an eight-story building “would be very awkward” for town and preferred a five-story maximum; staff confirmed that current code allows up to eight stories and said design and negotiation with the selected firm would address scale and context.
A councilor moved to approve the RFP as presented and direct staff to proceed with the two-quote process; the motion was seconded, called for a vote and passed unanimously. Staff said the firm selected will lead planning and negotiation through design and that the city intends to step back once construction begins.
