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Historic-preservation group urges council to revoke Hall of 50 States RFP, seek clearer language
Summary
Attorney Megan Strayhorn, representing the Lee Trust for Historic Preservation, told council the Hall of 50 States RFP allowed outcomes inconsistent with the council's intent and asked that the RFP be revoked and reissued so council can review language before issuance.
An attorney for the Lee Trust for Historic Preservation told the Fort Myers City Council the recent request for proposals for the Hall of 50 States did not reflect the council's intent to preserve the building and asked that the RFP be revoked and reissued with clearer language.
"The RFP language was less clear and now the winning bidder... wants to demolish the building and only save the roof," attorney Megan Strayhorn said, urging council to retain the ability to review RFP language prior to issuance.
Councilmember Bausch pressed staff and the city manager for a procedural fix so councilmembers could review RFPs before they go out, saying that seeing the language would prevent bidders from interpreting the city's intent in unintended ways. "If we bring that back to us, we would all see it and say, 'yeah, that's great,'" Bausch said.
Staff replied that larger procurements are routinely provided to council and that staff would review where smaller solicitations fall on the significance scale and return with a recommendation. No formal motion to revoke the specific Hall of 50 States RFP was recorded at the meeting; council directed staff to evaluate the process and report back.
