Request for Qualifications and Adaptive Reuse Solicitation for the Historic Community House

The City of Richmond Hill is soliciting proposals from qualified development teams for the acquisition, stabilization, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse of the historic Community House located at 10512 Ford Avenue, Richmond Hill, Georgia, with proposals due November 2, 2026 and a mandatory site visit on September 22, 2026 at 10:00 AM.

The scope covers the 1936-constructed main building (approximately 10,538 square feet) and its 1997 Chapel addition (approximately 2,374 square feet) on 1.42 acres zoned Commercial-Specialty. The property is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places (2024) and is currently vacant. Redevelopment must comply with local historic district regulations and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. A mandatory requirement is that the upstairs ballroom be made available for City-sponsored events at least two times annually. The City does not require submission of a purchase price, development fee schedule, or detailed financial proposal at this stage.

Evaluation uses weighted criteria: Historic Rehabilitation Experience (30%), Quality and Feasibility of Proposed End Use (25%), Public Accessibility and Community Benefit (20%), Implementation Strategy and Timeline (15%), and References and Demonstrated Capacity (10%). The City may provide support including waiver of permitting fees, assistance with rezoning and zoning variances, permission for alcohol sales and service, reduced fees for infrastructure and utility improvements, expedited Certificate of Appropriateness and building permits, and reduced property taxes for a finite period.

Written questions are due October 6, 2026. Evaluation and interviews are to be determined following proposal submission. Submission of a proposal does not obligate the City to enter into a development agreement, sell the property, or proceed with any proposed project.