Byfield School RFP for Long Term Lease.pdf

RFP For Interest in Long-term Lease of Former Byfield School Page 1 of 10

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS #1074 FOR

LONG-TERM LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY KNOWN AS

FORMER BYFIELD SCHOOL

220 HIGH STREET

BRISTOL, RI 02809

RFP For Interest in Long-term Lease of Former Byfield School Page 2 of 10

TOWN OF BRISTOL

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

PROPERTY FOR LONG-TERM LEASE

RFP NO. 1074

Building known as

Former Byfield School Building

Located at 220 High Street

This historic building is being offered AS IS.

The lease price is subject to negotiation.

The building cannot be demolished. Significant exterior alterations that would impact the building’s National Register designation as a contributing building are prohibited. Exterior alterations for American with Disabilities Act renovations (i.e. ramp and elevator) will be reviewed and could be considered depending on the proposed design of same.

Tours of the site will be conducted between 9-12 a.m. on Friday November 21, 2025, between 9- 12 a.m. on Saturday November 22, 2025; and between 1-4 p.m. on Monday, November 24, 2025.

Specifications including the conditions of sale may be obtained and proposals MUST be filed at the Office of the Town Clerk, 10 Court Street, Bristol, RI 02809. Proposals must be sealed and clearly marked on the outside with the subject matter, RFP number, and the due date. Proposals will be opened at 12 noon at the Bristol Town Hall, 10 Court Street, Bristol on December 10, 2025.

The Town Council reserves all rights to reject any and all bids, or any part thereof, or to go on the open market when is deemed to be in the best interest of the Town.

MELISSA CORDEIRO, TOWN CLERK

Dates to Advertise: November 6 and November 20, 2025

RFP For Interest in Long-term Lease of Former Byfield School Page 3 of 10

REQUST FOR PROPOSALS

FOR LONG-TERM LEASE OF FORMER BYFIELD SCHOOL BUILDING

1. Introduction:

The Town of Bristol (the Town) is requesting proposals from qualified bidders for a long-term lease of the building known as “Former Byfield School” located at 220 High Street, Bristol. The property is located on the east side of High Street on the northeast corner of the intersection of High Street and Church Street and is a contributing building within the Bristol Historic District and the Bristol Waterfront National Register Historic District.

The Byfield School was constructed in 1873 and is located on the southwest corner of the 8-Acre Town Common. It has no specific lot lines in that the Town Common, with the exception of the State House parcel, is a single platted lot. The Town Common is improved with recreational uses including tennis/pickleball courts, a playground, a basketball court and a gazebo. Various community events are hosted on the Town Common throughout the year.

The building is a three- story brick building of terracotta brick load bearing masonry construction, with wood frame and masonry interior walls. The main roof is a wood framed mansard covered with slate. The main entrance into the building is off of High Street. The total area of the building is approximately 23,004 square feet with approximately 5,600 square feet on each floor including the basement. A small paved parking area is also located to the rear of the building that can be access via either High Street or Church Street.

The Town is seeking proposals for the long-term lease of the building that demonstrate the highest and best use of the property under the current zoning designation of Public Institutional (PI) which prohibits residential uses. Respondents should clearly illustrate the potential reuse of the property. Respondents need to perform their own due diligence with respect to zoning, building and historical issues.

Respondents will be responsible for maintaining the landscaping in front of the building as well as the rear parking area. Since 2016, the Town has completed repairs to the building including but not limited to the following: chimney repairs, re-roofed the mansard dormer roof, replaced downspouts, replaced 38 windows on the 3rd floor, asbestos abatement in the boiler room; and wall stabilization work on the north and south walls. Respondents should also be aware that restoration

RFP For Interest in Long-term Lease of Former Byfield School Page 4 of 10 is needed to additional windows and the masonry walls restoration is still needed on the north and south walls of the building as the Town did stabilization of these walls only.

Respondents should indicate how much land would be needed around the buildings to accomplish their intended redevelopment vision.

The building is serviced by public sewer and water.

The proposal should define renovation plans together with a timeframe for completion. The award will be partially based upon the proposed plan for reuse in addition to the price. See Section 3 below for more information on the proposal evaluation criteria.

Approval by Town Council

The Bristol Town Council must approve the lease of the property in accordance with the Town Charter and applicable State Law including but not limited to a public hearing.

2. Terms, Conditions, and Proposed Uses

The bidder shall undertake its own review and analysis (due diligence) concerning the physical and environmental condition of the premises, applicable zoning and other land use laws, required permits and approvals and other development, ownership and legal considerations pertaining to the premises, the lease agreement and the use of the premises, and shall apply for and obtain all approvals and permits required for the project with the cooperation of the Town. Demolition of the building or significant alterations to the exterior that would impact the National Register designation as a contributing building are prohibited. Exterior alterations for American with Disabilities Act renovations (i.e. ramp and elevator) will be reviewed and could be considered depending on the proposed design of same.

No Town funds will be available to the lessor of the property. The Town will not make any repairs or improvements to the property prior to the lease.

Bidders are urged to physically inspect the property prior to submitting a proposal. Under no circumstances will failure to inspect be considered grounds for a claim or grounds for a violation of the contract to lease.

Tours of the site will be conducted between 9-12 a.m. on Friday November 21, 2025, between 9- 12 a.m. on Saturday November 22, 2025; and, between 1-4 on Monday, November 24, 2025.

RFP For Interest in Long-term Lease of Former Byfield School Page 5 of 10

Interested bidders should meet at the site. A representative of the Town will be available to answer questions. Bidders are advised to do their own due diligence and neither the Town nor any of its agents or representatives is responsible for representations made regarding the physical condition of the site.

Additional inspections will be permitted for bone fide prospective bidders at dates and times to be determined and as agreed upon with the Town of Bristol.

The Town reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to negotiate the terms and conditions of any proposal with any particular lessee. The Town also reserves the right to interview any or all potential or lessees with respect to the proposals and to waive any error, or informality or technical defect in the proposal. This request for proposals does not in of itself constitute an offer, but is rather an invitation to interested parties to submit offers.

Evaluation Criteria

The Town of Bristol, in evaluating each proposal, may consider (but not be limited to) the following factors:

a. Price offered for lease;

b. Intended property use;

c. Financial strength of purchaser;

d. Compatibility of the proposed use with the surrounding area;

e. Public benefit of proposed use;

f. Renovation Plan;

g. Construction Schedule;

h. Relative experience of the respondent in similar reuse projects.

Information for Long-Term Lease:

The building and surrounding leased area (to be established), is to be leased “as is”. The Town will work with the lessee to establish boundaries of the area to be leased that satisfy both parties’ needs.

RFP For Interest in Long-term Lease of Former Byfield School Page 6 of 10

The Lessee agrees to accept said property in its present condition. Furthermore, the property is being offered absolutely “as is”, “where is”, and “with all faults” as of closing without any representation or warranty whatsoever as to its condition, fitness for a particular purpose, except as specifically set forth in this proposal. The Town specifically disclaims any warranty, guaranty or representation, oral or written, past or present, express or implied, concerning the property, except as specifically set forth in this proposal. Lessee acknowledges that Lessee is offering for such property based solely upon Lessee’s own independent investigations and findings and not in reliance upon any information provided by the Town of Bristol or its agents or contractors except as specifically set forth in this proposal. Without limiting the foregoing, Lessee acknowledges that the Town of Bristol has made no agreement to alter, repair, or improve any of the property. None of the information set forth in the property information materials or any other materials supplied by the Town of Bristol, its agents, employees or commissioners, encompasses conclusions of law;

rather, that information is subject to the operation and effect of all applicable laws and legal consequences and to the legal rights of all persons and entities involved.

3. Submission of Proposals

Persons who desire to long-term lease the subject property must submit ten (10) copies of their proposal and letter of intent to Melissa Cordeiro, Town Clerk, 10 Court Street, Bristol, RI 02809 on December 10, 2025 before 12:00 noon o’clock. Proposals must be submitted in writing in a sealed opaque envelope clearly marked “RFP #1074 FOR LONG-TERM LEASE OF 220 HIGH STREET". No responsibility will be attached to any town representative or employee for the premature opening of a bid not properly addressed and identified. Proposals will not be accepted after the stated date and time. The following information must be included with the proposal:

a. Formal letter stating the offer for long-term lease of the subject property The letter should clearly describe the terms of the offer, including but not limited to, lease price and description of all conditions to which the offer may be subject.

b. Narrative explaining the proposed or intended use of the property, including requirements for parking, and any ancillary/accessory uses.

c. Intended plans for reuse of the building.

d. Estimated schedule for any contemplated renovations with estimated completion date.

e. A statement affirming that Lessee has the financial ability to complete the lease and renovation. Also, provide an affirmative statement consenting to provide representatives of the Town satisfactory evidence of Lessees financial ability, upon request.

RFP For Interest in Long-term Lease of Former Byfield School Page 7 of 10

f. Proposals submitted by corporations must be submitted with proper corporate resolution authorizing the proposal.

g. A deposit of $1,000 is required with each proposal.

h. Non-profit organizations may submit a proposal using the same format provided herein.

No Town funds are available for such organizations.

i. Bid Form attached to this proposal.

4. Questions

All inquiries, questions, and requests for information related to the property or related to the preparation of the response to the Request for Proposals should be directed in writing by December 1, 2025 to Diane M. Williamson, Director of Community Development, Town of Bristol, 10 Court Street, Bristol, Rhode Island. Phone 401-253-7000 ext. 126. Email:

dwilliamson@bristolri.gov

Responses, clarifications, or interpretations and any supplemental instructions or form, if issued, will be issued in the form of written addenda.

The Town of Bristol will not be responsible for, and bidders may not rely upon, any information, explanation or interpretation of the RFP rendered in any fashion except as provided in accordance with this RFP.

RFP For Interest in Long-term Lease of Former Byfield School Page 8 of 10

Town of Bristol, Rhode Island

Department of Community Development

10 Court Street Bristol, RI 02809 www.bristolri.us 401-253-7000

BID FORM

LONG- TERM LEASE OF FORMER BYFIELD SCHOOL AT 220 HIGH STREET BRISTOL, RHODE ISLAND

Lease Price/Terms for the Property____________________________________________

Signature of Bidder:____________________________________________________

Printed Name: _________________________________________________________

Date:_________________

Bidders Name and Address: __________________________________________

Bids must also include those items listed in Section 3 of the Request for Proposals. Bids must be sealed and clearly marked with the subject matter, bid number, and the bidding date. Bids need to be submitted to the TOWN CLERK’S OFFICE, 10 Court Street, Bristol, Rhode Island by 12 noon on December 10, 2025.

https://url.avanan.click/v2/r01/___http://www.town.bristol.ri.us/___.YXAzOnRvd25vZmJyaXN0b2w6YTpvOmViYmY4YjRjYzU3NDIwNDVmNzQxYWIzY2JjZDMyZDliOjc6YTEwNDo4OWY5ZDI1NWM3YTJkMzYwM2E0NWIyZDA5OTc5MzUyYjAzOGM0OTYzY2E1OGI4MzZiOGE0ZWFkNjY4NjE1ODRhOnA6VDpG

RFP For Interest in Long-term Lease of Former Byfield School Page 9 of 10

Figure 1 Front of Building - Facing High Street

Figure 2 Rear of Building - Facing Town Common

RFP For Interest in Long-term Lease of Former Byfield School Page 10 of 10

Figure 3 South Side of Building - Facing Church Street