Building repurposing of mary cheney library

The Town of Manchester, Connecticut, is soliciting proposals through a Request for Proposal (RFP) to identify a qualified organization or entity to repurpose and occupy the historic Mary Cheney Library building located at 586 Main Street in Downtown Manchester. The 26,135-square-foot Colonial Revival structure, constructed in 1937 with expansions in 1962 and 1998, has operated as a public library for nearly 90 years and is a contributing building to the Main Street Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. The Town seeks proposals for a new use or combination of uses that will serve as a community asset while preserving the building's full exterior architectural character and revitalizing the Downtown District. Deliverables and key objectives include detailed financial documentation demonstrating implementation and funding capability (including audited financial statements for the two most recent years, project proforma, and proposed financing sources), a comprehensive proposal addressing the fit of the organization and activities within the Downtown context, potential to increase foot traffic and vibrancy, financial capabilities, and proposed ownership or lease structure with any requested Town incentives. The RFP was released on April 6, 2026, with a non-mandatory pre-bid meeting scheduled for April 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the library site; questions must be submitted by May 21, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.; and proposals must be submitted electronically through the Town's OpenGov procurement portal by June 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Evaluation criteria are weighted equally at 25 points each across four factors: organizational fit and proposed activities within Downtown's fabric, potential to increase foot traffic and add vibrancy, financial capabilities and financing plan, and proposed structure with requested incentives including purchase or lease price. Respondents must demonstrate established organizational status, comply with the Town's Living Wage Ordinance (requiring covered employers with service contracts exceeding $25,000 to pay a living wage of $17.78 per hour with health benefits or $26.07 without), maintain comprehensive insurance coverage with the Town named as additional insured, and submit completed IRS Form W-9 and Living Wage Certification forms.

The Living Wage Ordinance (Chapter 212 of the Manchester Code of Ordinances) applies to this procurement, with exemptions available for entities employing fewer than twenty-five eligible employees, contracts with annual values below $25,000, or charitable organizations exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code; all bidders must certify their living wage status or applicable exemption with their proposal submission. No specific set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises or minority-owned businesses are identified in the procurement documents. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are specified, as the Town retains ownership of the underlying land and seeks to transition the building from library use to a new purpose. The Town prefers a ground lease arrangement where the selected entity leases and maintains the building while the Town retains land ownership; however, alternative ownership or lease structures are welcome. The Friar Architecture Existing Conditions Report indicates estimated renovation costs ranging from approximately $3,985,058 ($153 per square foot) for full code compliance to specialized options including Town Offices & Financial Institution ($4,902,564 or $188.51 per square foot) or a Cultural Center ($4,443,298 or $170.85 per square foot), providing prospective proposers with detailed baseline cost data for their financial planning. No specific budget allocation or maximum award value is stated in the procurement documents; award value will be determined through negotiation with the selected vendor based on the proposed purchase or lease price and requested Town incentives.