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The special committee of the County Legislature that is reviewing preliminary concept proposals to redevelop the site of the Old Tompkins County Library today began to consider elements that should be included in a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) that will be critical to the next stage of the process.

Late last year, the County issued a Request for Expressions of Interest in developing the site and received six preliminary proposals, four of which are currently active.  The committee is charged with recommending to the full Legislature which of the four should be invited to proceed to next phase—response to the formal RFP.

Commissioner of Planning Ed Marx presented the committee with proposed elements that might be included in the RFP—some of them also suggested by the County’s Planning Advisory Board as part of its review.  Among the proposed elements identified to date:  detailed site plan, building design and floor plans; detailed cost and financial information, including the proposed financing for the project; certification of ability to close on acquisition (or lease) by a given date; verification of any agreement or memorandum of understanding with Lifelong (if a part of the project), and with any other parties committing to lease or own space in the building.  Among other recommended elements are any anticipated request for tax abatements or tax credits; strategies to manage parking demand; specific measures to reduce carbon footprint; and evidence of meeting with the City Landmarks Preservation Commission, and with City staff to assure that the project meets zoning and code requirements.

Among issues focused on during committee discussion were the desirability of collaborating with the City in the review process the importance of addressing parking and traffic concerns.

The committee today also heard comments concerning the project from six residents, and from two representatives of respondents to the RFEI.

Commissioner Marx will now prepare a draft RFP document for the committee to consider, along with a proposed resolution, at the committee’s next meeting November 7.

The submitted Expressions of Interest for redeveloping the Old Library are available for review on the County web site.

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