Summary

This file is a development opportunity map document from the Town of Manchester, Connecticut, soliciting proposals from experienced real estate developers for a transformative downtown redevelopment project. The project encompasses two adjacent parcels totaling 2.38 acres located at 942 and 1050 Main Street in Hartford County, situated within a federal Opportunity Zone. The 1.59-acre Forest Street lot contains 116 existing parking spaces and is accessible from both Main Street and Forest Street driveways, while the 0.79-acre vacant parcel at 942 Main Street was cleared following the demolition of an existing one-story building in late 2024. The Town seeks mixed-use urban development proposals ideally featuring multi-story buildings with ground-floor retail and residential or office components, though single-use concepts will be considered. The Request for Proposals was released on January 29, 2025, with a response deadline of April 24, 2025, at 2:00 pm. The Town will evaluate proposals based on development approach, project experience, financial capabilities, proposed structure, and management experience, with emphasis on overall community benefit rather than cost alone.

Pricing and financial structures are negotiable, with the Town open to either selling or leasing the property and potentially offering incentives such as tax assessment agreements or reduced purchase or lease prices. No explicit set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises are specified; however, bidders must complete a Living Wage Certification requirement, with potential exemptions available for nonprofits, smaller employers, and contracts under $25,000. A conceptual proposal provided by the Town estimates a total development cost of approximately $45.9 million for a 154,988 square-foot mixed-use building featuring 99 residential units (including 20 affordable units) and 7,750 square feet of commercial space. The project is strategically positioned in Manchester, a community of nearly 60,000 residents, and is designated to serve as a key gateway development within the Central Business District, which permits extremely permissive off-street parking and dimensional requirements to encourage denser urban development.