ENTERTAINMENT FACILITY, PROFESSIONAL SPORTS OPERATION, or Similar Use at TOTAL MORTGAGE AREA

The City of Bridgeport Department of Public Purchases, in partnership with the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the reuse, redevelopment, and operation of the Total Mortgage Arena, a 10,000-seat multipurpose entertainment and sports venue located at 600 Main Street in downtown Bridgeport. The procurement seeks proposals for entertainment facilities, professional sports operations, or similar large-scale assembly uses that will maximize year-round facility utilization, attract substantial attendance, generate significant economic impact, create regional employment, and strengthen Connecticut's cultural and tourism economy. Respondents must be experienced developers and operators of entertainment venues or professional sports organizations with demonstrated commitment to community engagement, transit-oriented development, and pedestrian improvements. Key deliverables include a formal letter of interest, comprehensive proposal description with employment projections and visitor draw metrics, ten-year operating pro-forma with business plan, sources and uses of funds, development drawings, community benefits plans, and minimum two commercial or trade references including at least one from a lender or financial institution. Evaluation will be weighted as follows: economic impact (40 percent), experience developing and operating similar businesses (30 percent), and organizational and financial capacity to implement (30 percent). Proposals must be submitted electronically through OpenGov or in paper form to the Department of Public Purchases at 999 Broad Street by 2:00 pm on Thursday, May 28, 2026. The City has scheduled optional site tours on April 23, May 9, and May 14, with a written question deadline of May 21 at 2:00 pm and City responses by May 22 at 2:00 pm. An anticipated 90-day review process will include initial administrative review, respondent interviews, due diligence, and negotiation leading to execution of a development and operating agreement.

The RFP does not specify any set-aside designations or restrictions limiting the types of organizations that can respond, nor are any disadvantaged enterprise requirements noted in the available documentation. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the procurement materials. The City and State have combined to invest over $20 million in recent capital improvements to the Total Mortgage Arena, and approximately $8 million in State of Connecticut Special Act grant funding is available to the selected respondent for further capital improvements and renovations. The City anticipates entering into a development and operating agreement of at least ten years' duration with renewal options, with specific stipulations regarding private investment levels, capital improvement timelines, maintenance and operating reserves, and performance requirements. Any additional capital support from the City or State would be discretionary and subject to formal municipal and state approvals. The City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, select one or more respondents, or decline to offer the RFP, with any selection subject to Bridgeport City Council approval.