1-Trimborn RFP-ED2501.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

MILWAUKEE COUNTY, WISCONSIN

DEPARTMENT: DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

SOLICITATION #: RFP-ED2501

RFP TITLE: TRIMBORN FARM USE & DEVELOPMENT

DATE ISSUED: JULY 29, 2025

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Introduction

2 General Information

3 Instructions To Respondents

4 Requested Information

5 Additional Information

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose of RFP

Milwaukee County, through its Economic Development Division, is soliciting proposals for the adaptive reuse and long-term operation of Trimborn Farm, a historically significant property located at 8881 W. Grange Avenue in the Village of Greendale. The County seeks proposals that maintain the site’s historic and cultural value, ensure long-term public benefit, and eliminate Milwaukee County’s financial and operational obligations. Nestled within Greendale—a nationally recognized New Deal–era “Greenbelt” town known for its pedestrian friendly layout, civic center, and cohesive architectural character—Trimborn Farm sits 1 mile from Southridge Mall and 1.5 miles from Historic Downtown Greendale, which is governed by zoning and planned development overlay regulations designed to preserve the distinctive village center identity.

MILWAUKEE COUNTY

RFP # RFP-ED2501 – TRIMBORN FARM USE & DEVELOPMENT

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Trimborn Farm is a 7.34 acre site comprising nine period buildings. Trimborn Farm was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 (Attachment 6) and is designated a local historic place by the Village of Greendale, the State of Wisconsin, and the County. The stone barn, farmhouse, and granary/bunkhouse are considered contributing factors to the National Historic designation. Originally an industrial lime-producing estate from the mid1800s, it evolved into a dairy farm before serving as a federal staging area during Greendale’s construction in the 1930s—one of only three Greenbelt towns in the U.S. Today, this property forms a cultural anchor within the Village’s community, where new uses are expected to comply with municipal zoning requirements—including compatibility in scale, design, circulation, landscaping, lighting, and signage—and align with Greendale’s detailed design guidelines and certificate of appropriateness procedures. These standards ensure that adaptive reuse not only preserves the site’s layered history, from lime kilns to New Deal legacy, but also enhances the walkability, charm, and quality-of-life values that define Greendale’s community vision.

The County encourages proposals from qualified nonprofit or for-profit organizations with experience in historic preservation, adaptive reuse, sustainable operations, and/or public programming.

1.3 Definition of Terms

Any special terms or words used in this solicitation are defined in this Section. Terms or words not defined in this Section should be read according to their dictionary definitions and/or common meanings. The County reserves the right to identify additional special words or terms separately in one or more attachments to this RFP.

Milwaukee County (“County”) means Milwaukee County, a municipal body corporate located in the State of Wisconsin, and all the Divisions and Departments thereof. For purposes of this solicitation, the County is represented by its Department of Administrative Services, Economic Development Division.

Property means the identified, County-owned property shown in Attachment 3.

Respondent(s) means any organization or individual interested in doing business with Milwaukee County desiring to provide information, data, comments, or reactions regarding this RFP.

Targeted Business Enterprise (TBE) A TBE is any company that is certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) under WisUCP or certified as a minority- or women-owned business with the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration or registered as a small business in the SBA SAM registry.

Milwaukee County’s goals for Trimborn Farm are as follows:

• Financial Sustainability: Transition the site to a financially sustainable model that eliminates County expenditures.

• Preservation: Restore, preserve, and utilize the historically significant structures and landscape honoring the layered history of the site.

• Public Benefit: Ensure the property continues to provide educational or recreational value to the public, either through direct programming or accessible public use.

• Historic Integrity: Maintain architectural features consistent with Secretary of the Interior Standards.

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• Equity and Inclusion: Align with Milwaukee County’s commitment to racial equity and equitable service delivery.

• Neighborhood Integration & Greendale Village Alignment: Ensure that proposed uses are compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhood and aligned with broader planning efforts of the Village of Greendale.

1.4 Background on Trimborn Farm

Trimborn Farm was established in the mid-19th century as an industrial lime manufacturing site and grew to over 500 acres during its peak operation. It was later used as a dairy farm and as a federal staging area during the creation of Greendale, one of three original greenbelt communities constructed as part of the New Deal.

Today, the farm includes:

• A Cream City brick farmhouse (c. 1850s, Greek Revival)

• A stone barn (c. 1858)

• A granary/bunkhouse with rare brick noggin construction

• Four 19th-century lime kilns

• A Civil War-era threshing barn

• Additional outbuildings: smokehouse, chicken coop, machine shed

The site has been used for historic interpretation, weddings, photography, seasonal events, such as the annual Harvest of Arts and Crafts Fest (scheduled for September 6 & 7, 2025), and educational field trips. It is operated in partnership with the Milwaukee County Historical Society and has been managed by various entities since its acquisition by Milwaukee County Parks in 1980. Please see attachments for additional details on the conditions of the site and structures.

The property is zoned Park and is subject to both local Greendale & Milwaukee County ordinances and state laws and state and federal historic preservation laws. Any alterations will require consultation with appropriate regulatory bodies.

1.5 Scope of Solution

This Request for Proposals (RFP) invites responses from organizations interested in operating, utilizing, and/or adaptively reusing the property outlined in Attachment 3. Proposals should prioritize the property's immediate or long-term self-sustainability. Milwaukee County welcomes a wide range of creative and viable solutions. Potential uses may include, but are not limited to, a wedding venue, restaurant, working studios or vendor stalls, event rentals, short-term guesthouse accommodations, farm clubs, coffee house, brewery, weekend markets, health or wellness retreat, and urban farming.

All proposed uses must be appropriate in scale and character for the surrounding residential neighborhood and must align with local zoning regulations, historic preservation standards, and community development goals. Proposals that demonstrate sensitivity to local context and a clear strategy for neighborhood integration will be viewed more favorably.

https://www.trimbornfarm.com/harvest

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While Milwaukee County’s preference is to fully transfer ownership of the property to a qualified entity that will preserve and activate the site consistent with the County’s goals, the County will also consider proposals that involve a long-term triple net lease arrangement. In such cases, the tenant must assume full responsibility for all property-related expenses, including maintenance. Proposals that include a transfer of ownership may be given priority, particularly if they demonstrate a clear path to financial sustainability, preservation of historic assets, and ongoing public benefit.

While not part of this RFP, prospective Respondents should be aware that the Milwaukee County Historical Society is also exploring the potential sale of the adjacent Curtin House. This additional property could offer expanded opportunities for a successful Respondent.

2. GENERAL INFORMATION

2.1 RFP Administration & Contact Information

The Milwaukee County Department of Administrative Services, Economic Development Division is responsible for the oversight and management of this solicitation. The RFP Administrator is the sole point of contact for this RFP. The project manager assigned as RFP Administrator for this solicitation is:

Heather Reindl Project Manager Department of Administrative Services, Economic Development Division 600 N. Plankinton Ave., Suite 600 Milwaukee, WI 53203 Phone: 414-405-0190 Email: heather.reindl@milwaukeecountywi.gov

2.2 RFP Schedule

The following schedule is based upon the best available knowledge as of the date this RFP is issued.

The County may, at its discretion, delay or shift the schedule of this RFP as appropriate. Any changes made to the RFP schedule will be publicly posted through the Bonfire Portal prior to the closing date of this RFP.

Schedule Description Date Time RFP Issued July 29, 2025 4:00 PM CST Onsite Tour Trimborn Farm August 22, 2025 10:00 AM CST Deadline for Written Questions September 5, 2025 4:00 PM CST Amendment with Responses to Questions and Requests for Clarification Issued (Approximate)

September 19, 2025 10:00 AM CST

Deadline for Submitting Responses October 31, 2025 4:00 PM CST mailto:erica.goblet@milwaukeecountywi.gov

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2.3 County’s Right to Amend or Cancel

Milwaukee County reserves the right to amend or cancel this RFP at any time and for any reason, if amendment or cancellation is in the best interest of the County. If it is necessary to clarify, revise, or cancel this RFP, amendments will be posted to the RFP’s Project Board on the Bonfire Portal. It is the responsibility of Respondents to check the Bonfire Portal regularly for any amendments prior to the RFP’s closing date and time.

2.4 Americans with Disabilities Act and Reasonable Accommodations

If a Respondent or any employee or representative of a Respondent needs accommodations, the Respondent should contact the RFP Administrator as soon as possible to discuss reasonable accommodations. DAS-Economic Development will provide reasonable accommodations, including provision of informational material in an alternative format, for individuals with disabilities.

2.5 Advancing Racial Equity in Milwaukee County

The County’s vision is “By achieving racial equity, Milwaukee will be the healthiest County in Wisconsin.” In May of 2019, the County became the first jurisdiction in the Country to declare racism a public health crisis. As a governmental body, the County recognizes its power to make change at a systemic level, Milwaukee County passed an ordinance (Milwaukee County Code of Ordinances (MCCO)- Chapter 108, Achieving Racial & Health Equity) that commits itself to identify and address policies, practices, and power structures, whether intentionally or unintentionally, that work in favor of white people and create barriers for Black, Brown, Indigenous people, and people of color (BIPOC).

Core Principles:

• MCCO-Chapter 18 ensures racial equity is a top priority of Milwaukee County government and remains larger than any one government leader.

• Institutionalization of racial equity in the County's mission, vision, values, and services are of the utmost priority.

• Racism has been, is, and will continue to be, a public health crisis until race is no longer a predictor of quality or length of life in Milwaukee County.

• Equity involves trying to understand and give people what they need to enjoy full, healthy lives.

• Milwaukee County has a county-wide goal to improve equitable service delivery and develop an organizational culture of equity.

Milwaukee County seeks to achieve its vision by dismantling institutional racism in the organization and building up policies, practices, and a culture that ensures race no longer predicts health outcomes, and outcomes for everyone improve. The strategic focus areas include creating intentional inclusion, bridging the gap, and investing in equity.

In support of the County’s vision, it is requested that Respondents agree to collaborate with the County in working to achieve racial equity for our constituents and commit to improving racial equity within Milwaukee County.

For more information about Milwaukee County and its initiatives, mission, vision, and goals, please visit www.county.milwaukee.gov

2.6 Community Benefits Contract Requirements

http://www.county.milwaukee.gov/

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Milwaukee County requires the inclusion of contractual obligations related to Community Benefits, including TBE contracting goals, local residential hiring goals, and apprenticeship hiring goals, in any project. If this RFP results in the award of a contract with the County, Respondents will need to comply with Chapter 42 of the Milwaukee County Ordinances that requires they work with Milwaukee County Office on Economic Inclusion (OEI) to identify and work toward achievement of adequate community benefits goals on any resulting projects. Respondents are encouraged to include their past community benefits experience in their responses.

2.7 Disclosure of Information and Compliance with Wisconsin Open Records Laws

Solicitation opportunities will be publicly advertised as required by law and County ordinance.

Milwaukee County and the Economic Development Division are required by law to respond to all Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) and Wisconsin Public Records Law (“Open Records”) requests. In submitting information, data, comments, or reactions to this RFP, Respondents acknowledge that such information constitutes a “record” for purposes of Wis. Stat. §19.21, et. seq., and that such information is subject to Open Records requests.

Respondents are advised that in complying FOIA and Open Records requests, the County presumes the right “of complete public access, consistent with the conduct of government business.” Denial of access is considered contrary to the public interest and will only be denied in exceptional instances.

Records are closed or confidential only if specifically stated in law.

Respondents may make written requests to hold confidential any trade secrets or other proprietary data contained in a response to this RFP. Respondents must clearly identify the material considered confidential and must explain why the data is confidential. If Milwaukee County receives a request for public information, the Economic Development Division, in consultation with the Office of Corporation Counsel, shall determine whether the information is an exception to Wisconsin Public Records Law and the information shall be processed accordingly.

3. INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDENTS

By submitting a response to this RFP, the Respondent acknowledges that it has read and agrees to comply with the information and instructions provided in this RFP document.

3.1 Preparing a Response

Respondents should prepare a response that is accurate, concise, and uses plain language in a manner that is easily understandable by non-technical personnel. Please clearly label attachments to enable readers to easily organize and navigate the response documents. When preparing a response, Respondents are encouraged to supply creative concepts and solutions for financing and potential uses for maximum benefit to the County and to the area.

Responses should be subject-matter specific and should not include unnecessary advertisements, sales materials, general media or other information that does not add substance to the Respondent’s response.

3.2 Questions

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Milwaukee County uses Bonfire to advertise and accept solicitation responses digitally. Respondents must submit questions or requests for clarification regarding this RFP using the Bonfire Portal. The Q&A period for this opportunity is August 1, 2025 10:00 AM CST to September 5, 2025 4:00 PM CST.

Respondents will not be able to send messages after this time.

Questions should cite the RFP title, number, page, section, and paragraph. Please be as clear and as specific as possible when asking a question or requesting clarification. Responses to all questions and inquiries received by the County will be posted on the RFQ’s Project Board on the Bonfire website.

3.3 Submission Instructions

Milwaukee County uses Bonfire to advertise and accept solicitation responses digitally. Respondents must submit questions and responses to this RFP using the Bonfire Portal. The Portal may be accessed at:

https://countymilwaukee.bonfirehub.com/projects/view/196429

The Q&A period for this opportunity is listed in Section 3.2: Questions.

Submissions must be uploaded, submitted, and finalized prior to the Closing Time of October 31, 2025 4:00 PM CST. Respondents should allow sufficient time and at least ONE (1) day before Closing Time to begin the uploading process and to finalize submissions.

3.4 Costs for Preparing Responses

Each response should be prepared simply and economically, avoiding the use of elaborate promotional materials beyond what is sufficient to supply a complete presentation. The cost for developing the response to and participating in this RFP process is the sole responsibility of the Respondent. The County will not provide reimbursement for Respondent costs.

4. REQUESTED INFORMATION

Please submit information following the tabbed format below. When submitting electronic documents, please ensure that your document is searchable and includes a clear Table of Contents that matches the format provided in this Section.

4.1 Introduction

This section should include a contact person’s name, email, and phone number, as well as the Respondent’s business name, address, and phone number.

4.2 Respondent Qualifications and Experience

Provide documentation that supports the Respondent’s financial ability to invest sufficient capital and provide operational stability to ensure sustained operation of the proposed use(s). Indicate any risk to the Respondent’s business as a going concern and describe how you would mitigate those risks.

https://countymilwaukee.bonfirehub.com/projects/view/19642931998

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State the number of years of operation of the Respondent’s business, and state how many years the Respondent has conducted activities comparable to those proposed. Identify locations where your operations are currently in use. Include a profile of your company and key personnel.

If your response includes contemplated adaptive reuse provide a statement regarding your qualifications and experience in comparable improvements.

If fundraising is part of your proposal, discuss your relevant fundraising experience and previous successes.

4.3 Technical Responses: Proposed Uses & Concepts

Submit the following information:

1. Draft Business Plan and/or vision for the Property, not to exceed twenty pages, including,

a. Concept/Vision

b. Business Operations, e.g., business hours, staffing, etc.

c. Plan for Public Access for Property

d. Community Programming, if any

e. Plan for parking

f. Target Customer and Marketing Strategy

g. Plans for funding and revenue generation, i.e., operational revenue, grants, historic tax credits, etc.

h. As part of the business plan, Respondents must directly address the property's location within a residential neighborhood and demonstrate how their proposed use will respect, enhance, and integrate with the surrounding community. Proposals should identify potential neighborhood impacts—such as traffic, noise, lighting, and parking—and outline specific strategies for mitigation. Preference will be given to proposals that contribute positively to neighborhood character, foster community engagement, and maintain the site's historical and agricultural integrity.

2. Respondents should review the current Conditional Use Permit (Attachment 5) and address if additional uses are envisioned and a plan for how this would be requested of the Plan Commission. Respondents are encouraged to reach out to the Greendale Village Manager, Mike Hawes, if they have questions about Greendale regulations or neighborhood concerns. Manager Hawes contact information is:

3. If the proposal includes purchasing the property:

a. A proposed purchase price, or a description of the additional information that is deemed by the respondent to be necessary in order to arrive at a proposed purchase price;

b. A description of any terms or conditions that may apply to the respondent’s interest in purchasing the described premises, such as development incentives, waivers, permits, inspections, indemnifications or otherwise;

4. If the proposal includes leasing the Property:

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a. A proposed lease price, on a per-square-foot per-year basis, not including utilities, common-area maintenance (CAM) charges or taxes, or an estimated yearly net amount to be paid to the owner of the Property, or a description of the additional information that is deemed by the respondent to be necessary in order to arrive at a proposed lease price.

5. Proposed implementation timeline and/or transition plan

6. Explain how your proposal aligns with Milwaukee County’s Vision, that by “achieving racial equity, Milwaukee will be the healthiest county in Wisconsin”. You can learn about the County’s vision and strategic goals here: https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/Strategy-Budget-and- Performance/Vision

4.4 Additional Information

Any additional information not specifically requested, but which the Respondent deems important and relevant may also be submitted.

5. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

County may, at its discretion, ask one or more parties to provide additional information and/or meet with the Economic Development Division to further discuss their submitted information.

6. ATTACHMENTS

The following Attachments are included with the RFP and are posted on the Bonfire Portal:

Number Description Attachment 1 Proprietary Information Disclosure Form

Attachment 2 Respondent Information Form

Attachment 3 Trimborn Farm Property

Attachment 4 GIS Parcel Report

Attachment 5 Conditional Use Permit

Attachment 6 National Register of Historic Places Documentation

Attachment 7 Asset Detail 2020 Site

Attachment 8 Asset Detail 2020 Farmhouse

Attachment 9 Asset Detail 2020 Stone Barn

Attachment 10 Asset Detail 2020 Granary / Bunkhouse

Attachment 11 Asset Detail 2020 Chicken Coop

Attachment 12 Asset Detail 2020 Lime Kiln

Attachment 13 Asset Detail 2020 Machine Shed

Attachment 14 Asset Detail 2020 Milk house

Attachment 15 Asset Detail 2020 Smoke House https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/Strategy-Budget-and-Performance/Vision https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/Strategy-Budget-and-Performance/Vision

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Attachment 16 Asset Detail 2020 Threshing Barn