Columbus has issued a request for qualifications from developers for a new conference center and hotel, a mixed use development planned for downtown.
The city is also seeking a developer interested in pursuing an urban grocery as part of the project, as well as a residential apartment component now or in a future phase.
The request for qualifications is a summary of a developer’s past work, according to Columbus Redevelopment Commission members who issued it on Monday.
Two sites have been identified by city officials as possible locations for the hotel project — a Bartholomew County-owned site and adjoining parking lot, 2.28 acres between Second and Third Street just north of the county jail, or the Second and Lafayette street site which is controlled and owned by the city and the redevelopment commission.
Primary elements of the branded conference center hotel include:
140 plus guest rooms
9,000-square-foot divisible ballroom
4,000- to 5,000-square-foot of divisible breakout meeting rooms (at least 5 divisions)
3-meal restaurant
Parking estimated at 380 spaces
Possible urban grocery (preferred, not required)
Possible urban apartments (additional future potential phase)
The estimated cost of the conference center hotel development would be about $25 million.
Firms must submit qualifications by 5 p.m. June 7 with three to four developers to be chosen by this summer who will be invited to submit proposals, according to the redevelopment commission.
A request for proposals from the selected developers is a detailed document that includes the scope, materials, design and plans for the project, the commission said. The final developer is expected to be named by this fall.
A pre-response meeting and tour is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. May 10 at Columbus City Hall, 123 Washington St.
In 2018, the redevelopment commission conducted a market and financial feasibility analysis with Chicago-based consultant Hunden Strategic Partners for a potential full-service or select-service-plus conference center hotel in downtown Columbus.
The analysis determined Columbus’ current unmet and future needs in relation to hotels and meeting and conference spaces. The team also determined the financial feasibility, economic, fiscal and employment impacts of a hotel downtown.
In a press release Monday, the commission said none of the city’s new hotels provide the meeting space necessary for corporate events and meetings. Hunden recommended that Columbus could support a 140-room hotel with about 4,000- to 5,000-square- feet of conference room space and a 9,000-square-foot ballroom.
The Hunden market analysis said Columbus could support a conference center hotel located within walkable access to downtown amenities.
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To learn more about the Hunden Strategic Partners market and feasibility analysis, visit columbus.in.gov/redevelopment/studies-plans/columbus-conference-center-hotel-feasibility-impact-analysis/
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