RFP Purchase/Redevelopment of 2426 South Ave & Princeton Ave

1.1      Introduction from the City of Syracuse

The City of Syracuse (the “City”) is soliciting proposals from development firms pertaining to the purchase and redevelopment of a City-owned site located at 2426 South Ave, Syracuse, NY 13207, an unused former restaurant and surrounding land totaling approximately 1.63 acres. The City of Syracuse is seeking proposals with particular emphasis placed on those that: 1) display a proven ability to provide creative and inclusive land use and development strategies; 2) return the site to the tax roll and increase the City’s tax base; and 3) create housing opportunities for Syracuse.

1.2      Introduction to Property

The City of Syracuse seized this property in June, 2014.  Its previous owner did not pay taxes and late fees on the property – dating back to 2006.  It had served as a bar/restaurant since 1921.  The City of Syracuse will review submissions with particular attention given to those who display a proven ability to execute creative and inclusive land use and development strategies.

This area was resubdivided in October, 2025 to create a developable area distinct from the parcels to the west, where green infrastructure is present to manage stormwater.

The zoning is R1 Single Use Residential.

The City of Syracuse intends to enter into a public/private agreement for the potential sale of City-owned property to development entities that successfully qualify.

Project Details

• Reference ID: 26-276
• Department: Assessment
• Department Head: Matt Oja (Commissioner)

Important Dates

• Questions Due: 2026-04-23T21:00:00.000Z

Evaluation Criteria

• Factor One – Purchase Price and Taxable Status (1 pts) —
  1. The proposed purchase price for the property.
  2. The proposed taxable status of the property.
  3. Any tax incentives sought by the respondent related to this development.
  4. Any public program assistance relied upon by the respondent in undertaking the project.
• Factor Two - Operational Plan (1 pts) —
  1. The extent to which the business terms recognize the goals and objectives of the City, including transfer of ownership, roles of the development team for project design, and implementation of financing and construction.
  2. The degree to which respondent’s response is clear, responsive and innovative and meets the needs of the City in terms of meaningful and significant redevelopment, ownership, management, and roles.
  3. The respondent illustrates the effective use of public resources including the degree to which the respondent shows creativity in its leverage of other resources, both capital and in-kind, in order to minimize the use of City resources, tax abatements and/or the use of public funds.
  4. The degree to which the respondent is able to creatively finance predevelopment and other expenses.
• Factor Three – Development Concept Alignment with Municipal Objectives (1 pts) —
  1. The degree to which the respondent articulates and presents a development concept for the property that includes appropriate architecture, site utilization, density, and income mixes and uses.
  2. The respondent provides a clear explanation of sources and uses in order to accomplish the project, as well as operating financials.
  3. The degree to which the respondent appears to understand fundamental components of the City of Syracuse Comprehensive Plan 2040, as well as the Land Use and Development
     Plan (LUP) and will be able to demonstrate a feasible financing and development plan that comports with the City’s vision for the land use of property and the surrounding neighborhood.
  4. The degree to which respondents identify any experience they have working with mixed-income projects or affordable housing developments, including the capacity and previous work experience of the development team to implement these types of projects in or near central business districts.
  5. The degree to which respondents can identify opportunities for green technology and sustainability with both the building practices and the infrastructure incorporated with any prospective development of City-controlled property.
• Factor Four – Experience and Capacity of the Respondent / Developer (1 pts) —
  1. Experience in performing all aspects of a Rental Assistance Demonstration conversion for either a rehabilitation or demolition redevelopment project of public housing, including finance underwriting, public workshops and development meeting, design, and implementation.
  2. Ability to obtain, structure and implement layered financing for similar projects, including low income housing tax credits, brownfield cleanup program credits, Federal and State historic tax credits, and other private or other public financing particularly with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the New York State Department of Housing and Community Renewal (HCR).
  3. Financial capacity as evidenced by financial statements, the firm's most recent audit and bank references, and the respondent’s discussion of financing predevelopment costs.
  4. Experience of the respondent in financing of projects in the State of New York and prior project experience with state entities including Empire State Development (ESD) and HCR.
• Factor Five – Municipal and Development Collaboration (1 pts) —
  1. Respondent clearly articulates its willingness, agreement and demonstrates past experience in collaboratively working with local municipalities and non-profits in the planning and implementation of development projects.
  2. Workforce Development commitment. The ability of respondent to meet Section 3, MWBE or SDVOSB goals, and the respondent’s dedication to instituting training programs, utilizing local sub-contractors, and building a business capacity in those sub-contractors. Please indicate past experience in workforce development in projects of which you have been a part.
  3. Experience in using local enterprises and businesses for the whole development project, including A&E, General Contractors, sub-contractors, and local vendors. Please indicate past experience with this in projects of which you have been in.
• Factor Six – References (1 pts) —
  1. The extent to which references evidencing the ability and capacity of the responding firm to collaborate with the City of Syracuse, stakeholders, and residents to be successful in a development effort.
  2. The ability of the respondent to provide three (3) references as requested.
  3. Financial references demonstrating financial capacity, financial strength and creditworthiness.
  4. Development references demonstrating long-term economic and social viability of past efforts.

Submission Requirements

• Cover Letter (required)
• Project Approach (required) —

  Please outline project approach as specified in the Scope of Work and Submittal Requirements Sections.

• Financial Disclosure Form (required) —

  The Common Council by Ordinance No. 514 adopted on September 24, 1973 requires the following information from all persons, partnerships, corporations, trusts and associations transacting business with the City of Syracuse relative to any proposed business transaction including but not limited to land purchase, construction, purchase and lease agreement.

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• Prior Non-Responsibility Determination Disclosure (required) —

  Under New York State Finance Law § 139-k(2), covered governmental entities are obligated to obtain specific information regarding prior non-responsibility determinations.  This information must be collected in addition to the information that is separately obtained pursuant to State Finance Law § 163(9).  In accordance with State Finance Law § 139-k, an Offeror must be asked to disclose whether there has been a finding of non-responsibility made within the previous four (4) years by a Government Entity due to: (a) a violation of State Finance Law § 139-j or (b) the intentional provision of false or incomplete information to a Government Entity.  The terms “Offeror” and “Governmental Entity” are defined in State Finance Law § 139-k(1).  State Finance Law § 139-j sets forth detailed requirements about the restrictions on Contacts during the procurement process.  A violation of State Finance Law § 139-j includes, but is not limited to, an impermissible Contact during the restricted period (for example, contacting a person or entity other than the designated contact person, when such Contact does not fall within one of the exemptions).

  As part of its responsibility determination, a covered governmental entity must consider whether an Offeror fails to timely disclose accurate or complete information regarding the above non-responsibility determination.  In accordance with law, no Procurement Contract shall be awarded to any Offeror that fails to timely disclose accurate or complete information under this section, unless a finding is made that the award of the Procurement Contract to the Offeror is necessary to protect public property or public health safety, and that the Offeror is the only source capable of supplying the required Article of Procurement within the necessary timeframe.

  Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

• Non-Collusive Certification (required) —

  These prices have been arrived at independently without collusion, consultation, communication or agreement, for the purpose of restricting competition, as to any matter relating to such prices with any competitor,

  Unless otherwise required by law, the prices which have been proposed have not been knowingly disclosed and will not knowingly be disclosed prior to opening, directly, or indirectly, to any other competitor; and

  No attempt has been made or will be made by the respondent to induce any other person, partnership or corporation to submit or not to submit a quote for the purpose of restricting competition. I hereby affirm under the penalties of perjury that the foregoing statement is true. I also acknowledge notice that a false statement made in the foregoing is punishable under Article 210 of the Penal Law.

• Non-Discrimination Questionnaire: Currently employing less than 25 persons, exclusive of the parents, spouse, or children of the employer? (required)
• Non-Discrimination Questionnaire: Quoting an amount which, added to the award amounts of other non-construction City of Syracuse contracts during this calendar year, totals less than $10,000.00?
• Proposal Confirmation (Signature) (required) —

  Please download the below document, complete, and upload.

• Additional Information
• What is the duration of the contract? (required) —

  Ex. 1 year