General Invitation
Request for Proposals (RFP)
Ready for cultural redevelopment
3518 S. Halsted St. and nearby vacant parcels
The City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development invites submissions of proposals for the purchase and redevelopment of the former Ramova Theater, 3518 S. Halsted St., and nearby vacant parcels at 3520 S. Halsted and 3531-45 S. Halsted.
 The goal of the RFP is the restoration of the 1,500-seat theater for a cultural use that enhances the Bridgeport neighborhood. However, proposals for high-quality retail or commercial activity will be considered.
The L-shaped theater building is the last Jazz Age theater venue in Bridgeport. Totalling more than 28,380 square feet, it served the community into the 1980s as a movie house. It is today unoccupied and owned by the City. The lobby and auditorium possess original baroque and classical features and its marquee remains intact. The two vacant parcels included in the RFP total approximately 24,680 square feet. Each is being acquired by the City.
The City prefers proposals that would rehabilitate the building's interior and Halsted Street facade for performing arts, cultural, or cinema-related uses. Proposals must demonstrate that the theater would be managed by an experienced operator and that programing would be high-quality and reflective of the character of the surrounding community. The development plan must include customer parking on the vacant parcel across the street. The vacant site adjoining the theater could be used for outdoor dining or green space or developed with an addition to the theater building.
Proposals will be evaluated based on the submittal requirements and evaluation criteria detailed in the complete RFP. Complete copies of the RFP, including neighborhood demographic information and development trends, are available during business hours at the Department of Planning and Development, 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 1000, Chicago.
Proposals will not be subject to a minimum bid. A Good Faith Deposit of 5 percent of the proposed purchase price will be required of the successful respondent. Properties will be sold in "as is" condition.
RFP respondents may request incentives under the following DPD programs: Tax Increment Financing, CD Float Loan, Bank Participation Loan, 501(c)(3) Bond, Enterprise Zone, or others that may be applicable.
The selected respondent must comply with all zoning regulations or zoning changes that may be required. The sites are zoned B5-3 and B1-1 General Business District.
Respondents may request that an RFP be sent to them via U.S. Mail by contacing Judy Minor-Jackson, Assistant Commissioner, by fax at (312) 744-5826, or e-mail at jminor-jackson@cityofchicago.org.
A pre-submittal conference will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, 2002, at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 1003A, Chicago. Attendance is not mandatory but strongly encouraged since questions about the RFP can only be addressed at the conference. Proposals are due by 4 p.m., local time, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2002.
Respondents must submit eight bound copies and one unbound copy of their proposal in a legible 8½- x 11-inch format (unless otherwise described in the RFP) in a sealed envelope to:
Alicia Mazur Berg, Commissioner
Attn: Judy Minor-Jackson
Chicago Department of Planning and Development
121 N. LaSalle St., Room 1006
Chicago, IL 60602
The outside of each envelope must be labeled: "Response to the Ramova Theater RFP."
Key Dates
Request for Proposals issued: 8/14/02
Pre-bid conference: 9/5/02
Proposal due date: 11/14/02
CAUTION: - Respondents will be responsible for proposal delivery before the due date and time. Late proposals will not be accepted and will be returned to the proposer unopened.
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