WORCESTER – The Worcester Redevelopment Authority has extended the deadline for requests for proposals of the sale and development of the Denholm building on Main Street.
The RFP bid for the building at 484-500 Main St. opened on Nov. 23, 2022 and was scheduled to close on Feb. 17, 2023. The deadline has been extended five weeks and the bid will now close on March 24, 2023.
As ThisWeekinWorcester.com previously reported, the minimum bid for the property is $3 million.
The WRA is seeking a qualified Buyer/Developer to redevelop the property and will consider proposals for both the adaptive reuse of the existing building or the demolition of the building and new construction. The property is being sold as is and is zoned for Business or mixed-use development.
Preference will be given to bidders who propose a development of 125 or more residential units including not less than 20% of the units at income-restricted affordability and at least 10% ADA accessible units, or a proposal that will develop at least 150,000 square feet of commercial office space and an estimated job creation of at least 200 full-time jobs.
Additionally, proposals that show a commitment to start construction of the development within 18 months and complete the proposed project within the next two years will also be given preference. Preferred bids will also include a design with an aesthetic and well planned approach to the architectural design of the building that is aligned with the City of Worcester’s Design Guidelines and complements the historic integrity and scale of Downtown Worcester and the Main Street corridor.
In August, the WRA authorized the execution of the purchase and sale agreement for the Denholm building property. Its board members voted in favor of the agreement and bought the building for $3 million.
To read the full request for proposal, click here.
