University-Hayden Butte Redevelopment Area Consulting Services

The City of Tempe, Arizona is seeking consulting services for the University-Hayden Butte Redevelopment Area (UHBRA) through a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued on October 6, 2025, with proposals due on November 10, 2025, at 3:00 PM local time. The primary objective is to engage a qualified consultant to assess approximately 367 parcels within the UHBRA to determine if 50 percent or more exhibit slum and blight indicators, which would support a potential modification of the redevelopment area in compliance with Arizona Revised Statutes Title 36, Chapter 12, Article 3. Key deliverables include a comprehensive analysis of the area's conditions, documentation to support UHBRA modifications, and preparation of materials for potential City Council consideration. The evaluation criteria will assess Scope of Work/Specifications (35%), Qualifications and Experience (30%), Pricing (20%), Timeline (10%), and Agreement to Terms and Conditions (5%), with a total possible score of 1,400 points and an additional 400 possible points for potential interviews scheduled for November 19-21, 2025. The initial contract term is one year, with four possible one-year renewal options, utilizing a firm fixed price (lump sum) pricing model.

While no specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned in the documentation, the RFP indicates a strong commitment to sustainability, which may factor into the evaluation process. The project involves preparing an amended University-Hayden Butte Redevelopment Plan (UHBRP) that will focus on transforming the former commercial center into a comprehensive urban center with mixed-use development, improving infrastructure, and creating a vibrant downtown environment. Funding sources are anticipated to include multiple channels such as Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), Community Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) funds, City of Tempe general funds, Improvement District financing, and Industrial Development Authority financing. Although a specific budget range is not detailed, the project aims to dramatically increase jobs, provide standard housing, attract small businesses, and enhance the area's economic and social infrastructure over a potentially 20-year implementation period. The consulting services will be critical in determining the potential for declaring the area as exhibiting slum and blight characteristics and supporting subsequent redevelopment efforts.