Austin Peay seeks approval to issue RFP for 210 College Street housing site

Austin Peay State University requested and the Executive Subcommittee of the State Building Commission approved a request to issue a request for proposals to develop a university-owned parcel at 210 College Street through a long-term ground lease.

"Austin Peay State University is requesting approval to issue an RFP to develop a university owned parcel at 210 College Street through a long term ground lease," said Brew Prabar, identified in the meeting as vice president of finance and administration for Austin Peay State University. Prabar told the subcommittee the proposal is driven by "growing demand for housing near campus" as Clarksville and APSU expand and that the university intends to prioritize staff through preferred access and leasing considerations.

Chair (reading the motion) expressed a procedural caution about the RFP process, urging that issuing an RFP should not create an obligation to proceed if proposals are not favorable. "I just wanna make sure that, we don't have escalation of commitment. If we get to looking at this and realize that, hey, this is not the best deal, that we don't feel like that we have to continue forward just because we've issued an RFP," the chair said. Miss Ann (staff) then called the roll and the subcommittee approved the request.

The subcommittee approved proceeding with the RFP process by roll call vote. Vote tally recorded by the meeting indicates three affirmative votes; the transcript shows the item was approved. The RFP will move forward to solicit development proposals; the subcommittee did not set a timeline or award terms during the meeting.