City of Grand Rapids - River North, Downtown, and Waterfront Development Partner RFQ - 2026
City of Grand RapidsCity · Grand Rapids, MI- Due
- Nov 16, 2026
- 5 days left
- Posted
- Oct 7, 2026
- Contract term
- 1 year
- Primary contact
- Sarah Rainero
- (616) 970-7438
The 30-second brief
The City of Grand Rapids Economic Development Department seeks a qualified development partner for a 12-month master site planning and due diligence engagement across nearly 6.43 acres of city-owned property in the River North neighborhood. The project encompasses three parcels at 1101, 1165, and 1120 Monroe Ave NW, currently used for administrative offices, vehicle storage, and parking. The selected partner will lead comprehensive due diligence, community engagement, market analysis, and financial modeling to support a mixed-use, mixed-income development with a minimum density of 40 units per acre, housing diversity, ground-floor commercial space, and public riverfront access along the Grand River. Additional scope includes evaluating options for the relocation and expansion of the City's Development Center, addressing stormwater management and utility infrastructure, and recommending disposition and ownership structures. Submissions are due by November 16, 2026, and must be sent electronically and via 10 hard copies.
Comprehensive site due diligence report, Strategy to address future capacity needs of the Coldbrook Creek drain, Primary market analysis report, Financial feasibility analysis, Master site plan encompassing at least Parcels 1 and 2, Recommended disposition strategy, Recommended ownership and governance structure, Grand River edge activation strategy, Development Center relocation coordination plan, Community engagement summary, Final presentation to City leadership
Alignment with Development Vision and Objectives (20 points), Master Site Planning Approach and Methodology (20 points), Team Qualifications and Experience (20 points), Community Engagement and Equitable Development (20 points), Financial Capacity, Local Presence, and Business Terms (20 points)
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Summary
The City of Grand Rapids Economic Development Department seeks a qualified development partner for a 12-month master site planning and due diligence engagement across nearly 6.43 acres of city-owned property in the River North neighborhood.
The project encompasses three parcels at 1101, 1165, and 1120 Monroe Ave NW, currently used for administrative offices, vehicle storage, and parking. The selected partner will lead comprehensive due diligence, community engagement, market analysis, and financial modeling to support a mixed-use, mixed-income development with a minimum density of 40 units per acre, housing diversity, ground-floor commercial space, and public riverfront access along the Grand River. Additional scope includes evaluating options for the relocation and expansion of the City's Development Center, addressing stormwater management and utility infrastructure, and recommending disposition and ownership structures. Submissions are due by November 16, 2026, and must be sent electronically and via 10 hard copies.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
REQUIRED DELIVERABLES
Comprehensive site due diligence report, Strategy to address future capacity needs of the Coldbrook Creek drain, Primary market analysis report, Financial feasibility analysis, Master site plan encompassing at least Parcels 1 and 2, Recommended disposition strategy, Recommended ownership and governance structure, Grand River edge activation strategy, Development Center relocation coordination plan, Community engagement summary, Final presentation to City leadership
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
9- Cover Letter and Executive Summary
- Partner Team information
- Relevant Experience and Past Performance
- Approach to Vision and Methodology
- Community Engagement Plan
- Financial Capacity and Proposed Business Terms
- Project Timeline
- Proof of Insurance
- Conflict of Interest Disclosure
- Submit to
- [email protected]
- Scope location
- Grand Rapids, MI
Questions about this RFQ
How do I respond to this RFQ from City of Grand Rapids?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is November 16, 2026. The solicitation specifies required deliverables that must be addressed in your response. Be sure to include all required attachments as outlined in the solicitation. Submissions should be delivered to: [email protected]. For questions, contact Sarah Rainero.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFQ?
Most government agencies, including City of Grand Rapids in MI, encourage participation from small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE). Check the full solicitation for any small business participation goals.
What happens after the RFQ submission deadline?
After the deadline, the issuing agency reviews all submissions against the stated evaluation criteria. This typically includes a compliance check, technical evaluation, cost analysis, and may involve oral presentations with shortlisted vendors.
Can I ask questions about this solicitation before submitting?
Yes, most solicitations allow vendors to submit questions during a designated period. The primary contact is Sarah Rainero at (616) 970-7438. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
What are the key deliverables?
The solicitation specifies the following deliverables: Comprehensive site due diligence report, Strategy to address future capacity needs of the Coldbrook Creek drain, Primary market analysis report, Financial feasibility analysis, Master site plan encompassing at least Parcels 1 and 2, Recommended disposition strategy, Recommended ownership and governa. Proposals should clearly address how each deliverable will be met.
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What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Alignment with Development Vision and Objectives (20 points), Master Site Planning Approach and Methodology (20 points), Team Qualifications and Experience (20 points), Community Engagement and Equita..." Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from City of Grand Rapids?
All active and historical solicitations from City of Grand Rapids are tracked and searchable. As a city agency, City of Grand Rapids regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.
What is the contract term for this solicitation?
The anticipated contract term is 1 year. Contract terms may include renewal options.
Is this solicitation still open for submissions?
Based on the posted deadline of November 16, 2026, this solicitation appears to still be accepting submissions. Deadlines may change through amendments or addenda, so always verify the current status directly with the issuing agency before preparing your response.
What documents are required to bid on this RFQ?
Requirements vary by solicitation, but common documents include a technical proposal, cost/price proposal, proof of insurance, relevant certifications, past performance references, and any forms specified in the solicitation. This solicitation specifically requires the following attachments: Cover Letter and Executive Summary, Partner Team information, Relevant Experience and Past Performance, Approach to Vision and Methodology, Community Engagement Plan, Financial Capacity and Proposed B. Review the full document from City of Grand Rapids for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Grand Rapids, MI. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.