New construction of a mixed-use development in Anderson, South Carolina. Conceptual plans call for the construction of a multi-residential development; and retail development.

In order to promote commercial development within the Central Business District (CBD) of downtown Anderson, the City of Anderson is requesting proposals for the purchase and development of a city-owned property. The property is located at 600 South Main Street at the intersection with West River Street. The manner in which this property is developed must be consistent with the City's adopted master plans, redevelopment plans and must meet certain criteria as to the use of the property. This RFP contains a description of the property, description of the goals and criteria set by the City of Anderson for the property, and additional information about the site The downtown Anderson property located at 600 S. Main Street (TMS# 124-24-12-001, 124-24- 12-002) was the location of a former mortuary and most recently offices for the City's planning department. The 7,320 square foot building was demolished in 2019. The site is 34,848 square feet/0.80 acres in size. It includes 209 feet of road frontage on South Main Street, and 182 feet of road frontage on West River Street. The zoning designation for this property is Central Business District (CBD). The property is also located within the Downtown Historic District meaning that any new construction will be subject to design review by the City of Anderson Board of Architectural Review. Development of the property shall accomplish the following City goals: Create Street Level Activity- The project should enhance the activity base of the Central Business District (CDB) in a way that generates activity for downtown. Ensure Design Quality and Compatibility- The site is located at a prominently visible location in Downtown Anderson. Appropriate urban design techniques and materials should be employed to ensure that the development is compatible with the historic fabric of the Central Business District (CBD). A design review committee will be appointed to review the design of the project and will make a final design recommendation to City Council. This step is in addition to the design review process of the Board of Architectural Review. Enhance the Tax Base- Enhancing the tax base of the City of Anderson will help grow and sustain a more vibrant commercial district in the core of the community. Support the vision of "Shock this Block", a site-specific downtown master plan branded in reference to the iconic moniker "The Electric City". Funded in part by a grant from the Municipal Association of South Carolina, the plan serves as a roadmap to ensure strategic growth by forecasting development opportunities within seven major "shock blocks" throughout downtown. In 2019, nearly 1,000 citizens engaged in the process through public forums, creative meetings, design charrettes, and online surveys. A team of local design consultants led this process and developed the plan that is product of a true community venture. 600 South Main Street is located within the South Main Gateway "shock block" and was identified as a prime site for infill development. The plan suggests that a new building at this site would anchor the current southern gateway with an active mixed-use development including retail, office, and residential uses. A surface parking lot could be located behind the new building with access from River Street and lower Main Street to the south. Overall infill recommendations for this site and the others identified in the South Main Gateway include: o Ensure that new infill buildings front the street and continue the existing Main Street edge (build to/right-of-way line). o Construct new buildings to the corner to anchor the intersection as a gateway into downtown, similar to the Municipal Business Center. o Maintain scale and character of existing Main Street buildings and provide a mix of uses including retail at street level with residential and office uses above. o Encourage street front activity uses on Main Street such as cafe/outdoor dining, seating/gathering areas, retail window and outdoor displays, and site amenities/features. o Provide parking and service access areas behind the buildings wherever possible, avoiding new curb cuts along Main Street. o Provide clear, safe, and well-lit pedestrian connections along the edges of new buildings and/or through the new building to provide pedestrian connections to off-street parking areas behind buildings. o Existing Main Street streetscape character and design should be continued at this site. Recommendations include: o Extend on-street parking by adding additional diagonal head in parking in front of the site. o Extend the pedestrian hardscape treatment to match the current Main Street design. o Introduce planters in the streetscape with large upright single stem shade trees. o Incorporate additional layers of planting (shrubs, groundcovers, perennials/annuals) under trees in planter pits and other planting areas (ie. bumpouts). The City reserves the right to reject any or all submittals; to waive any informality or irregularity not affected by law; to evaluate, in its absolute discretion, the qualifications submitted. The City may, at its option, interview Developers as part of this selection process. However, selection may take place without such interviews. Therefore, proposals should be complete as initially submitted. Questions shall be addressed to and the Proposal shall be submitted to: Mary Haley Thompson Economic Development Project Manager City of Anderson 102 North Murray Avenue Anderson, SC 29625 Phone (864) 934-3375 Email: mthompson@cityofandersonsc.com The Method of Contractor Selection has not been determined at this Time.