Development Opportunity - 1749 W. Silver Springs Boulevard and 105 SW 19th Avenue

The City of Ocala, Florida, issued an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) under RFP# GRM/220445 seeking qualified development teams to design, develop, and construct a creative mixed-use development project on approximately 0.45 acres of City-owned property located at 1749 W. Silver Springs Boulevard and 105 SW 19th Avenue in Marion County. The procurement seeks proposals for development that may include single or two-family housing, professional and business offices, hairstyling shops (limited to three stations), medical and dental offices, complementary commercial uses, and community uses, with preference for a mix of unique uses including first-floor active uses open to the public along Silver Springs Boulevard. The City will consider multiple site control options, including outright sale of the property or alternative negotiated arrangements with the selected developer. Developers must propose a minimum property purchase price of at least $90,000 (the appraised fair market value), and the City reserves the right to give preference to proposals with higher purchase prices after evaluating costs and benefits. Construction must commence within six months of closing and be completed within eighteen months, with failure to initiate construction resulting in title reversion to the City with forfeiture of all deposits and funds. The project must comply with Residential-Office (RO) zoning district requirements and Form-Based Code design standards, incorporate sustainable development practices, and demonstrate compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood and mixed-use commercial district. Minimum qualifications require developers to have at least five years of relevant project experience, have principally developed and completed at least three similar projects, demonstrate creditworthiness and financial capacity, be authorized to do business in Florida with required licenses, and maintain a satisfactory contractual performance record. The deadline for submitting written questions was March 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST, and sealed electronic submissions were due by March 19, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. EST via the City's e-procurement portal at www.bidocala.com, with contact information provided to David Williams, Buyer, at dwilliams@ocalafl.gov or (352) 629-8350. Evaluation will be based on highest and best use of the property through a scoring criteria process, with the City presenting the resulting Development Agreement to City Council for final approval after negotiation with the highest-ranked proposer.

The ITN does not specify any set-aside designations or restrictions limiting the types of organizations that can respond, nor does it identify any disadvantaged enterprise preferences. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are listed, as this is a development opportunity on vacant City-owned property. Developers must submit comprehensive financial documentation to a Financial Review Committee consisting of at least three members selected by the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce or the City, including two years of federal corporate income tax returns, current financial statements, project pro forma and cash flow projections, feasibility studies, construction cost estimates from licensed general contractors, and evidence of required equity investment and financing commitments through bank funding commitment letters, bank statements, and/or grant agreements. The City and Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) are willing to consider development incentives, including contributions toward City permits and fees, grants, Tax Increment Financing (TIF) payments, and infrastructure improvements, subject to fund availability and CRA approval, though short-term cash incentives are not available. The property, consisting of parcels 2260-110-023 and 2260-110-026, will be conveyed by fee-simple sale on an "as-is" basis, subject to City Council approval, with the appraised fair market value established at $90,000 as of September 2022. No specific award value or budget range beyond the minimum $90,000 purchase price is specified in the ITN documents, with all costs and terms to be negotiated individually with the selected builder or developer.