Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Community Development
Request for Proposals
Monument Square Redevelopment
Harry J. Tutunjian
Sealed Proposals must be submitted to: MAYOR This document was prepared with funds
provided under Title 11 of the Environ‐
Michael L. Dinova, Chief Account Clerk mental Protection Fund through the New
Bureau of Contracts & Procurement York State Department of State.
City Hall, 1776 Sixth Ave
Troy, New York 12180
Contents
Invitation from the Mayor 2
Project Summary 3
Summary of Process 4
Evaluation Criteria 4
Obtaining the RFP 4
Submission Deadline and Requirements 4
Public/Private Partnership 6
Project Site 6
Project Details 7
Site History 7
Market Context 7
Regulatory Framework 8
Development guidelines 9
Purpose of the Development Guidelines 9
Parking Base 10
Public Access 11
Building Envelope 11
Building Height and Massing 12
Storefronts and Entries 13
Architecture of Monument Square 14
Facade Articulation and Materials 15
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR (518) 279-7130
Troy has an unparalleled opportunity in the Capital District to develop prime riverfront real estate. Contained
within this RFP is the redevelopment of the city’s most attractive site, a 2.1 acre parcel located on the Hudson
River and framing historic Monument Square, which represents a transformative opportunity for the Troy.
Downtown Troy is, quite frankly, a place of special beauty. Its character is reinforced by blocks of historic
architecture and walkable neighborhoods unscathed by time. One notable exception was the 1970’s era former
City Hall and adjoining parking structure that had occupied the site and, until this point, jarringly interrupted
the architectural vocabulary of the surrounding streetscapes. Practically speaking, it impeded visual and
physical access to the waterfront.
My administration has worked to make the site available for an economically productive reuse that increases
residential and commercial options for our residents. We intend that to be in a form that enhances all aspects
of downtown Troy. Considerable funding to redevelop the site has been secured and we have taken the steps
to demolish the structure.
An added incentive to this attractive opportunity is that the site will be shovel ready and free of any speculative
features for a selected development team to build a new mixed-used development.
I invite you to read this RFP and submit a proposal that partners with the City of Troy in erecting a building in
Monument Square that provides access to the Hudson River, both physically and visually and further
revitalizes the core of this great city.
Sincerely,
Harry Tutunjian
Mayor
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Project Summary
The City of Troy is seeking proposals from development firms to construct a mixed‐use building on an especially prominent and
attractive 2.1‐acre waterfront parcel owned by the City of Troy. The site is located in the heart of downtown Troy, abutting
Monument Square.
Redevelopment of this crucial site into a mixed‐use will help contribute to the ongoing revitalization efforts of the downtown,
strengthen community space, bring new residents to the area and link to current riverfront investments.
A comprehensive community engagement process was undertaken during the winter and spring of 2009‐2010 in order to solicit
feedback from the community about their vision for this site. The results of this process are encapsulated in development
guidelines included within this RFP. The community process also identified the following two goals for the site redevelopment:
Visually and physically enhance public access to the Hudson Riverfront,
linking the riverfront and downtown
Build a new structure on the existing site that contributes to the economic
development of Downtown
Respondents to the RFP should have experience in complex, high quality, mixed‐use waterfront development, working with the
public sector as partners and working with communities to achieve their vision.
The project site is located prominently on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, within Troy ’ s historic downtown core.
Former City Hall Structure. Building is currently being demolished. The rear of the building and site opens onto a riverfront park looking south.
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Summary of Process
The City of Troy is using this RFP process as a means of selecting the best qualified development team with the best proposal.
After the RFP submission deadline, the City of Troy will evaluate each proposal. Development teams may also be requested to
make presentations of their proposals and participate in additional interviews.
Evaluation Criteria
Selection criteria will include, but not necessarily be limited to:
A. Quality of proposal and development approach
B. Quality of design and creativity
C. Quality of development team and organizational structure
D. Relevant project experience, including waterfront development in urban environments
E. Financial capacity, proposed project financing structure and proven ability to complete project in a timely manner
F. Demonstrated success on public/private partnership development projects
G. Commitment to public policy goals and objectives, with a specific emphasis upon enhancement of public waterfront access
and development of nearby public amenities
H. References
Obtaining the RFP
The RFP and all supporting materials will be made available to interested parties electronically via the following website:
www.troyny.gov.
Submission Deadline and Requirements
Responses to this RFP must be received no later than 4:00 pm, April 20, 2011.
One signed original copy of the proposal (in a sealed envelope) and one electronic copy of the proposal (on a CD or memory stick)
must be delivered to:
Michael Dinova, City Purchasing Agent
Troy City Hall
1776 Sixth Avenue
Troy, New York 12180
518‐279‐7104
mike.dinova@troyny.gov
Questions
Please direct any questions you have about this RFP via email to:
William Roehr, Deputy Commissioner of Planning and Grants
bill.roehr@troyny.gov
On‐site visits
The City of Troy extends an invitation, and strongly encourages to all prospective respondents to visit. All visits must be scheduled.
Please call Russell Reeves, City Engineer, at (518)270‐4604 to schedule a visit.
Submission Requirements
Responses to the RFP will be evaluated based upon information provided in the following recommended format. Although the
information provided should be reasonably concise, responses should both convey a comprehensive understanding of the project and
provide details sufficient for informed decision‐making by the City.
1.Development Team Information
A. Cover letter of interest
B. Master developer identification
i. Name, address, phone and fax number and web page
ii. Contact information of primary point of contact (phone, fax, e‐mail)
Iii. Brief history and description of firm and likely project team
iv. Resumes of key individuals including their roles and responsibilities for this project
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C. Development team identification
i. Description of key project participants (firms), including their roles and responsibilities
ii. Resumes of key development team members
iii. Description of previous joint working experience of team members, include specific projects
2.Vision and Development Strategy
A. Detailed description of project understanding and proposed approach to development of this site related to
the following:
i. Adherence to Development Guidelines
ii. Technical and regulatory issues associated with waterfront development and related
infrastructure
iii. Project phasing, inclusive of detailed project timetable.
iv. Public/private partnership structure, including use of public investment and any creation of any public
amenities on or near the site
v. Program mix, density, amount of uses, etc., building (s) size, height, footprint (s), public access to waterfront
and park
vi. Conceptual level site plan, elevations and three‐dimensional renderings to enable the City to effectively
envision visual project components.
vii. Description of what the public sector/City would provide related to this development
3.Relevant Project Experience (provide the following information for no more than 5 relevant completed
projects)
A. Project name and location
B. Summary description (uses, total project size in square feet and size by use, densities, # of residential
units, # of parking spaces by type (structured, surface, etc.), and other applicable information)
C. Description of project challenges, if any, and how they were overcome
D. Development schedule (original / final schedule, date opened)
E. Description of public/private structure (if applicable) and current ownership and financial structure
F. Project cost (budgeted and actual)
G. Financing sources (amount/type of equity contributed, amount of debt financed, public financing
tools/incentives used
H. Architectural/design elements utilized (include photographs)
I. Description of any public amenities and infrastructure (e.g. open space, parks, streets, sidewalks,
parking, etc.) incorporated and who provided/paid for these
J. Any unique attributes of this project, such as approach, partnerships, design/architecture, public
benefit, etc.
K. Client reference (contact name, phone number, e‐mail address)
4.Financial Capability
A. Description of developer’s real estate portfolio, including total dollar amount of development
constructed
B. Summary of developer’s recent history in obtaining financing for relevant projects including financing source,
amounts financed, type/amount of equity contributed, etc.
C. Contact information of at least two financial references and any other named sources of financing
D. Anticipated approach to project financing including anticipated public and private sector roles and
responsibilities and public/private partnerships. Proposed financing structure for the project, including timing and
level of commitment, if available.
E. Purchase price for the property.
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Public/Private Partnership
The City seeks implementation of this waterfront site redevelopment project through an innovative public/private partnership,
and is prepared to undertake reasonably necessary actions to achieve project feasibility and to reduce certain risk factors.
Funding secured includes:
State Funding
Restore NY Grant Funding
Grant funding in the amount of $921,000 has been secured from the New York State Empire Development State Corporation for the
cost of demolition of the existing buildings and infrastructure on site.
Legislative Member Initiative
Grant funding has been made available from the New York State Department of State (NYDOS) in the amount of $1,935,000 to be used
for redevelopment costs related to “a mixed use development that may include retail, commercial, government and/or residential
uses.” Funds may be used toward construction of a parking garage for: privately developed mixed use buildings, other downtown
businesses, and Riverfront Park; civic space; access to Riverfront Park from Monument Square; and an expansion of Riverfront Park.
City of Troy Local Match
The City of Troy will provide the local match to the NYDOS grant in the amount of $2,000,000 that can be used for redevelopment
costs for projects “that may include retail, commercial, government and/or residential uses.”
Assistance is also available through the City of Troy’s Industrial Development Authority such as bond issuance, Payment in Lieu of Tax
(PILOT) agreements, mortgage recording tax exemptions and real property tax abatement. Additional information is available online
at www.troyny.gov
The selected developer will be responsible for delineating financial plans that will maximize private sector financial contributions. The
development team and its consultants are available to assist the developer in formulating and implementing an innovative public/
private partnership program. However, the ultimate development agreement must assure timely project implementation while
minimizing public sector investments, maximizing levels of private investment, and assuring reasonable returns to both the public and
private sectors.
Project site
The site is located in downtown Troy, New York, at a prominent waterfront location along the eastern bank of the Hudson River, and
near the nexus of three navigable waterways. Troy is located approximately three hours from New York City, and is home to
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Russell Sage College and Hudson Valley Community College. Troy has close links to nearby Albany and
Schenectady, and is one of the three major centers for the Albany‐Schenectady‐Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which has a
population of 850,957. At the 2000 census, the population of Troy was just shy of 50,000 people.
Site
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Project Details
Site History
Troy’s economic and cultural growth have historically been tied to its location on the Hudson
River, with early prosperity that grew from its role as a shipping and trade point for goods to New
York City. The city’s economic success was also linked to the steel industry, and to various forms
of manufacturing.
The site was most recently occupied by City Hall, a 1970’s modernist building that is presently
being demolished. It is roughly bounded by River Street, the Riverfront Park, and the Hudson
River. The site is strategically located at the terminus of Broadway and directly across from
Monument Square – the City’s main, historic civic green, making it a critical redevelopment Troy ’ s Music Hall exemplifies its
historic architecture, and is the tallest
opportunity in the heart of Troy’s historic downtown.
structure in the downtown.
Market Context
With its location on the banks of the Hudson River in downtown Troy, the redevelopment of Monument Square site represents an
unparalleled opportunity to develop a high quality mixed use project that provides new business and residential development, visually
and physically enhances access to the Hudson waterfront, links the riverfront and downtown, and creates a dramatic southern
entrance to Riverfront Park. The waterfront mixed use development will serve as an anchor in the downtown/waterfront area and may
include retail, commercial, governmental and/or residential uses along with a concealed parking garage as part of the project.
The City of Troy and the downtown area have experienced recent and planned development activities that are building momentum
and are all positive indicators of future growth and opportunity for the City of Troy, its residents and its businesses. These include the
Hedley District, a planned $400 million mixed use waterfront development just north of downtown; the $160 million Congress and
Ferry Streets corridor mixed use development, a public/private partnership between RPI, Rensselaer County and the City of Troy; the
redevelopment of the Conservatory, a $5 million renovation of an historic Beaux Arts building in the downtown area into luxury
apartments and ground floor retail; restoration and redevelopment of the historic Proctors Complex; and the Power Park Lofts, a
renovation of an historic textile manufacturing building to 18 upscale condominiums.
Similarly, the City of Troy has recently undertaken master planning and design services for its Riverfront Park, an approximately 4 acre
park on the Hudson River, stretching from City Hall to the Green Island Bridge. Accordingly, the development project should respect
and integrate with the public space investments in the Riverfront Park. See the map on the following page for additional recent public
and private investments in the immediate downtown core.
The downtown area currently shows demand for high quality multi‐family residential, retail and select office space that has the
potential to further stabilize the downtown with new residents, provide new retail amenities that will serve both new and existing
residents and businesses, attract new business and create a critical mass of development to spur new reinvestment in the downtown
area. The redevelopment of the former City Hall site will transform a currently underutilized waterfront property into a vibrant mixed
use destination and serve to strengthen Troy’s unique and dynamic waterfront.
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1. City Hall Site Redevelopment
2. Verizon Building Renovation
3. Dinosaur Barbeque site
4. Building Renovation‐ River St.
5. Proctors Complex
Redevelopment
6. Congress and Ferry
Development
7. Renovation of Riverfront Park
8. RPI Dorm Renovation
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1
4
8
5 2
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Regulatory framework
The site is currently zoned “B‐4, Central, Commercial.” The zoning permits a broad range of uses allowed including residential, office,
retail, hotel and others. For residential uses, the maximum residential height is 90‐150’ (9‐15 stories) and the maximum residential
density is 80‐120 units per acre. For commercial uses, the maximum height is 90’ (5‐6 stories); and there is no limit on commercial
density. The site does not carry any zoning requirements for off‐street parking, nor are any setbacks required with interior loading. It is
envisioned that the site will support a diverse, mixed‐use program with density appropriate for its strategic, downtown location. The
Development Guidelines as included in this RFP, are intended to provide respondents with “general guidance” in formulating their
proposals.
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Development Guidelines
Purpose of the Development Guidelines
The following section contains a set of development guidelines that are intended to ensure that the future development of the
project site responds to the goals and vision outlined by the community through the outreach process. At a series of open
houses, community members helped shape the guidelines that follow.
The guidelines are intended to accomplish the following:
Provide guidance in evaluating development proposals for the riverfront site
Balance contextual fit and community goals with development potential
Allow for flexibility in the architectural response and building uses
The Design Guidelines illustrate two examples of a variety of approaches that can be utilized to meet the urban design
objectives and community goals for the site. The Guidelines are intended to not only promote flexible design solutions that
protect the community’s interest in this significant civic site, but also to allow for creativity in proposals. To this end, alternative
building and open space configurations have been included to illustrate a range of options. These alternatives are not meant to be
comprehensive and other design solutions will be considered. The guidelines are intended to provide general direction and set
general expectations for the submission of proposals for the Monument Square site. They are not intended to regulate design and
variations will be considered. Submittals will be judged on the merits of the proposal in balance with the financial, programmatic,
and other factors deemed applicable by the City of Troy.
The development guidelines contain descriptive information and diagrams that will shape appropriate
development related to the following topics:
Parking Base
Public Access
Building Envelope
Building Height and Massing
Storefronts and Entries
Facade Articulation and Materials
The Riverfront Park Master Plan presents two alternatives for the Park and the City Hall redevelopment site. Both meet the urban design criteria for
improving connections between the downtown and the waterfront, and achieving a scale and character of development that is compatible with
the downtown.
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Parking Base
The parking base provides on‐site parking while creating a base
for habitable uses at and above the River Street elevation. Since
the portions of the site beneath the River Street elevation are
located within the 100‐year flood plain, parking is one of the
non‐habitable uses allowed in this area. Approximately two levels
of parking can be accommodated assuming an 18‐20 foot
grade change. The following guidelines apply:
Provide a minimum 50‐foot set back from the river’s edge.
Locate the top of parking structure (including space
for landscape and finishes) level with the River Street
sidewalk.
Provide landscape screening, architectural screening or
both along the riverfront elevation.
The parking structure can be accessed from River Street,
Front Street, or both.
Additional parking may be available off‐site, subject to The Riverfront Park Redevelopment Master Plan suggests that
agreement with the city and/or land owners. the parking base should be limited to 120 ’ in width measured
from River Street, leaving a larger area available for lower level
park uses.
A 20 ’ change in elevation must be transitioned between the riverfront
+20’ EL.
park level and River Street above.
+20’ EL.
+0’ EL.
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Public Access
A publicly accessible route must provide a convenient and gracious connection from River Street to the riverfront, and along the
riverfront edge. The following guidelines apply to the public access route:
Land located within the 50’ riverfront setback will remain in public ownership.
Portions of the designated route that are privately owned will remain publicly accessible.
The vertical transition (as designated in the diagram) can be accomplished in a variety of ways such as a sloped lawn, stepped
terrace, or grand stair or some combination.
Materials, fixtures, furniture and landscape elements located with the public use areas should be high quality and durable and
designed to coordinate with Riverfront Park and Monument Square streetscape.
Building Envelope
A consistent building edge along River Street may/or could
improve the connection between the Antique District and
the western portion of River Street, and restore the frame
of buildings around Monument Square. The following
guidelines apply:
The majority of the building edge should meet the River
Street setback line, except in cases of special entry
features, architectural articulation, public space, or
when additional setback is required to achieve a 12‐foot
sidewalk width.
Alternatively, the River Street building edge can be set
back to define the edge of a public open space.
Building edges facing the river can vary and are not
required to hold to a setback line.
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Building Height and Massing
*Achieving building heights that are compatible
with the scale of Monument Square is
of critical concern. However, there may be a
financial and marketing benefit to providing
higher building elements with improved views
to the water as long as the scale and shadow
impacts on the Square can be appropriately
40’ min. height managed. To balance these two concerns any
proposals for heights above 75’ should be
submitted separately, including the financial
and architectural schematics, so that the
relative benefits can be evaluated.
A generous public access route breaks down the mass of the development at
ground level.
75’ height limit
For alternative building configurations such as
Building elements may bridge the public access route, as long as 40 ’ height the one illustrated below, buildings over 75’
clearance is provided to protect views and sense of openness. high should be located away from Monument
Square.
150’ limit*
75’ height limit
150’ limit*
Tower elements are permitted, but must be setback 10 ’ from the River Street
building edge, and be sensitive to shadow impacts and the scale of neighboring
buildings*.
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Storefronts and Entries
Provide ground level windows, storefronts, and entries
along River Street and the Riverfront Overlook Terrace to
promote sidewalk activity, retail continuity and visual
interest. The following guideline applies:
Along River Street and at the Overlook Terrace, locate
active ground‐floor retail or other ‘extroverted’ program
elements such as residential common areas. These uses
should have transparent and open facades and avoid blank
walls wherever possible. In this alternative, building entries
and storefronts should front onto River Street and the new
public plaza.
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Architecture of Monument Square
Located in the heart of Troy’s historic downtown district, Monument Square, originally called Washington Square, has been an
important central gathering space for the City of Troy for over 200 years. Due to the historical, architectural, and civic
importance of the Square, any new development must carefully consider the Square’s unique architectural qualities and develop
a design that is compatible with surrounding architecture in terms of scale and proportion of building elements and quality of
materials. The buildings on the square architecturally span a broad time period of over 175 years, ranging from the early
architecture of the 1800’s to the modern architecture of the existing City Hall. Notable historic structures include:
Cannon building (1835) – original Federal style commercial building (attributed to Towne and Davis, architects) with Flemish
bond brick, brownstone columns and simple storefront cornice, later remodeled (c. 1870) with an additional mansard roof
top story and the addition of projecting storefronts.
Hendrick Hudson Hotel (1932) – Classical Revival style brick and limestone commercial building
McCarthy Building (1904) – Renaissance Revival style commercial with a terra cotta façade and an elaborate 2‐story arched glass
and cast iron storefront showroom.
Arts Center grouping of buildings include an 1840’s brick and brownstone column commercial/warehouse building; and two 1875
Eastlake style brick commercial/ warehouse buildings, a circa 1860 Italianate style brick commercial/ warehouse building and a 1910
in‐fill commercial /warehouse building.
Burdett Building (c. 1910) ‐ early 20th century steel framed and concrete veneered commercial and office building
Similarities among this diverse group of buildings include:
Buildings are all located at the edge of the right of way, with no setback.
The first stories of all the buildings have commercial storefront type windows with wide expanses of glass, reflective of the
construction capabilities at the time that they were built.
The second stories of a number of the buildings also have storefront type windows with wide expanses of glass. In these cases,
the storefront cornice has been constructed at the top of the second story, rather than at the top of the first story.
The first and second story “storefront” portions of the building are of more elaborate design than upper stories of the buildings,
and the architecture of the facades or sides of buildings traditionally facing the street are grand.
Elaborate, grand entryways that sometimes include canopies.
Detailed cornices.
Architectural detailing at upper story windows.
View of Monument Square
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Facade Articulation and Materials
Despite the diversity of historic styles that surround Monument
Square, there are a number of common architectural elements that
provide a general continuity and cohesion to the architecture of the
Square. New building elements should integrate or be compatible with
these building elements. The building facade should be articulated to
break down the scale and mass of the building and relate to the sur‐
rounding structures. The following guidelines apply:
In order to preserve the historic integrity of the district, the
proposed buildings should be designed to complement the
historic architecture without copying historic building
elements, or trying to recreate a historic building.
Materials should be high quality, attractive and durable
and can be traditional or contemporary so long as they are
compatible with the surrounding historic structures.
Colors should be consistent with the palette of the surrounding build‐
ings.
Regardless of the building configuration, the building materials
and facade articulation should complement the surrounding
historic architecture.
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