Master Developer for 5th Street District

The Sachse Economic Development Corporation, in coordination with the City of Sachse, is requesting qualifications from master developers to plan, entitle, finance, and deliver a mixed-use district on approximately seven acres of publicly owned land in the 5th Street District, with statements due November 6, 2026. This RFQ does not award a construction contract, convey land, or commit a dollar amount of public participation; it selects preferred developer(s) for exclusive negotiation of a Pre-Development Agreement and, contingent on Board approval, a Master Development Agreement.

The preferred program (Scenario 1) contemplates a Texas Downtown-scale mixed-use district with two- to three-story buildings featuring restaurants, lifestyle commercial, office, live/work units, and urban lofts, organized in three phases over approximately six years. Phase 1 activates the site through a restaurant and entertainment cluster with public park or common open space (approximately 20,000 square feet); Phase 2 consists of two mixed-use buildings (approximately 60,000 square feet); Phase 3 consists of one mixed-use building (approximately 40,000 square feet). Surface parking will be provided throughout.

Respondents must demonstrate financial capacity to close in 2027 with documented equity, liquidity, lenders, and identified partners; provide comparable project experience with public-partner references; and evidence execution capability. The RFQ does not publish a land price, TIRZ dollar amount, or guaranteed public contribution. Available incentive tools include EDC and City-owned land, TIRZ fund balance or increment consistent with the adopted finance plan, potential fee waivers, streetscape and drainage work, and public park or plaza space. Conveyance options under negotiation include direct sale, ground lease, combination structures, sales with repurchase rights, or leases with purchase options; land write-downs will be evaluated case-by-case.

Evaluation criteria (weighted at 100 percent): comparable experience (20 percent), site vision and program (20 percent), financial capacity (20 percent), public realm and benefit (15 percent), team built for execution (15 percent), and deal and public cost approach (10 percent). Responses are limited to approximately 30 pages, excluding financial exhibits and resumes. A pre-submittal meeting is scheduled for October 22, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.; written questions are due October 26, 2026. Staff will shortlist approximately three teams by mid-to-late November and conduct interviews thereafter, with staff recommendations in early December.