Title: Development of the Sebring CRA Property 209 Circle Park Drive

Deadline: 3/12/2021 3:00 PM   (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Status: Awarded

Solicitation Number: 21-007

Description:

The CRA is seeking proposals from qualified and experienced real estate developers interested in undertaking the development of the site located at 209 Circle Park Drive within the Sebring CRA District. The purpose of this solicitation is to continue implementation of the Community Redevelopment Plan by providing for the conveyance of the property owned by the CRA to the developer selected for redevelopment to remove conditions of slum and blight, increase the tax base, enhance the quality of life, improve the aesthetics and useful enjoyment of the redevelopment area, and promote the health, safety, morals and welfare of the residents of the CRA and the City. Due to the importance of this particular downtown development site, it is the intention of the CRA to consider certain development “incentives” to assist in making the project feasible which might include, but not be limited to, conveyance of the property at no cost, the payment of certain impact fees, housing incentives, tax increment rebates, etc. If the developer wishes to request incentives, they must outline their request as part of the proposal.   

This subject property is located at 209 Circle Park Drive and is a (2) story building totaling more than 11,000 square feet. The property has a prime location in the Historic District of Downtown Sebring and is original to the creation of the Downtown. The property was home to the Roanoke Hotel, and has encompassed a mix of office uses in the upstairs spaces, and restaurants on the bottom floor. The Roanoke Hotel was built in 1917 by the Sebring Development Company. The hotel was on the second floor and the first floor had six storefronts used for businesses. The property has large display windows that wrap around the front and side of the building that would be well suited for a restaurant. The property is situated on a corner parcel with high visibility from both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The property also offers parking spaces in the rear of the building.   

The upstairs is ideal to be redeveloped into multi-family housing and the downstairs is well poised for multiple restaurants that would bring night time entertainment to the downtown. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is currently zoned C1 Commercial.   

The purpose of the property’s redevelopment is to promote revitalization and to serve as a catalyst for the continued progression of the downtown. The CRA’s preference is for a future use to include multi-family housing, hotel/bed & breakfast, restaurants, and/or entertainment with the goal of creating a destination for the community and surrounding areas to live, work, shop, and play in an effort to increase foot traffic in the area. The proposed structure’s façade design will be reviewed for approval by the CRA board, and the City’s Historic Preservation Commission.   

A key objective as part of the CRA’s redevelopment strategy for Downtown Sebring is the creation of eateries in and around the downtown area to create a recreational and entertainment environment. Only businesses that are located outside of the CRA district and looking to relocate or establish an additional location downtown will be considered. Scoring preference will be given to proposals including multi-family housing and businesses that are food and entertainment centered such as lunch/dinner eateries, bakery, coffee shop, sports bar, pub, brewery or tap room etc.    

Highlands County recently conducted a housing study to analyze the housing market and provide recommendations for addressing the need for more market-rate rental options. The study demonstrated that multi-family inventory has been stagnant the past five years with no new units or developments delivered in the county in recent years. The results of the study indicated a pent up demand for multi-family housing and the need for over 600 multi-family units. The full study can be found in Appendix A for reference.

*****SITE VISIT REQUIRED******

Pre-Bid Meeting Details: ****SITE VISIT REQUIRED - SEE SOLICITATION FOR DETAILS****

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