Seven Oaks Activation Pad

The City of Winter Park, Florida, is seeking a development partner through an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN16-25) for the Seven Oaks Activation Pad project located in the Orange Avenue Overlay district. The procurement aims to identify a qualified entity to develop a village-scale, mixed-use building within Seven Oaks Park, transforming a strategic 3.63-acre gateway property. Permitted uses include restaurants, bars, breweries, retail businesses, health studios, and cultural venues, with specific zoning requirements limiting building height to 2 stories or 35 feet and a base floor area ratio of 14,813 square feet. The city will allocate 45 of the existing 89 parking spaces for the project, with respondents responsible for securing additional parking if needed. Proposals are due electronically by 2:00 pm on October 14, 2025, with a question submission deadline of October 1, 2025. The evaluation will focus on design alignment with community goals, project feasibility, financial responsibility, and the respondent's ability to construct and operate the building under a ground lease. Key objectives include nurturing Winter Park's placemaking brand, activating the park, and generating financial return through a ground lease arrangement.

The procurement documents do not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The project appears to be open to various development partners capable of meeting the city's comprehensive design and operational requirements. While no incumbent vendors are mentioned, the city will require the selected developer to integrate with existing park infrastructure and adhere to the detailed design standards outlined in the Design Standards manual for the Central Business District, Morse Boulevard, and Orange Avenue Overlay zones. The document emphasizes architectural creativity within a framework that respects Winter Park's urban character, requiring proposals to demonstrate sensitivity to the existing architectural context. Though a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the ground lease structure suggests the city is seeking a financially viable proposal that provides mutual benefit. The project represents a significant opportunity for a developer to create a distinctive mixed-use space that contributes to the city's urban landscape and community objectives.