Kemper Center/Anderson Arts Center Utilization & Business Plan

Kenosha County, Wisconsin is seeking a consultant to develop a comprehensive utilization and business plan for the Kemper Center and Anderson Arts Center, a 17.5-acre property located in downtown Kenosha along Lake Michigan. The Request for Proposal (RFP #2303) aims to evaluate the current optimization of the campus and provide recommendations to increase public and private uses while improving cost recovery before the existing lease agreement with Kemper Center Inc. (KCI) expires in 2027. The scope of work includes data gathering, facility and space utilization surveys, market analysis, community stakeholder surveys, current business model evaluation, SWOT analysis, and development of prioritized business recommendations with Return on Investment (ROI) projections. Proposers must demonstrate completion of at least three similar projects within the past five years, identify key personnel, and provide current references. The evaluation committee will score proposals on a 100-point scale: Cost (20 points), Company Profile (25 points), Staff Qualifications (25 points), and Proposal Solutions (30 points). Key deadlines include a March 10, 2023, proposal submission deadline at 3:00 PM, with an estimated contract award date of March 22, 2023, and a final report delivery by December 31, 2023.

The RFP does not specify any specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. The preliminary budget for the project is $50,000, currently funded by the Kenosha County Division of Parks. Contractors are prohibited from having conflicts of interest with other bidders and cannot perform implementation services after completing the plan. Insurance requirements are comprehensive, including Commercial General Liability ($2,000,000 aggregate), Professional Liability ($1,000,000), Automobile Liability ($1,000,000), Workers Compensation at statutory limits, and Excess/Umbrella Liability ($1,000,000). The current lease with Kemper Center Inc. is set to expire in 2027, which provides context for the timing and urgency of this business planning effort. The consultant will be responsible for developing and managing public surveys, with Kenosha County assisting in stakeholder notification through press releases, community outreach, and social media. The final deliverable will include an executive summary, findings, data analysis, comparison matrix of alternatives, and short and long-range recommendations with action items and implementation budgets.