The Town of Herndon extended its deadline for proposals for the downtown development until Feb. 19.
“The town won’t have any comment about proposal submittals at this point,” according to Town officials.
The Town issued its request for proposals for the redevelopment of 4.675 acres of land in historic downtown Herndon in November. The Town seeks to redevelop the property, formerly the Subaru car dealership or Ashwell property, into “an attractive, mixed-use development, including a parking structure in which the Town has fee interest to a minimum of 220 spaces.”
“The Town envisions a development of excellent design and quality providing the historic town core with additional vitality while respecting and reflecting the heritage of the downtown,” according to the request for proposal. “The Town envisions these benefits to be utilized to develop a superb environment for outdoor pedestrian enhancements including outdoor dining and passive and programmed activities.”
According to the RFP, the Town envisions utilities, streetscape, and an 18,000 square foot arts center, and hopes that the public shared parking and arts center be funded from proceeds from the Town’s property.
“The Town Council, after considering the recommendations of the evaluation committee and public comment, may select a limited number - likely two, and not more than three - of proposers who are fully qualified, capable, and best suited in the Town’s discretion to submit a detailed proposal that best meets the Town's needs. Selected proposers will be invited to submit detailed proposals by a specified deadline,” according to the RFP.
According to town documents, The Town plans to post public portions of the proposals on the Town of Herndon website to allow public comment.
Public Presentation by Developers are scheduled for May 25, and the Council is scheduled to vote for its top proposal by July 1, 2016. After the Town works on a development of agreement from July through October, a public hearing is scheduled for November and the final award is scheduled to be issued in December.
BY THE TIME the Town posts portions of the proposals, the Town expects to have launched its new Town website, scheduled for debut on Feb. 23.
“This is truly a town-wide project, with each department responsible for building their own pages and presenting their own news and initiatives,” according to Town spokesperson Anne Curtis.
Cutis presented a preview to the council at their last work session on Tuesday, Feb. 2.
See www.herndon-va.gov/.
AT TUESDAY’S COUNCIL HEARING, after presstime, The Town Council was scheduled to hold a public hearing on the development of the town manager’s proposed budget for FY 2016-2017.
The town’s budget last year was $49.86 million.
The Town Manager, Art Anselene, will issue this year’s budget on April 1.
At Tuesday’s hearing, the Council was expected to issue a resolution encouraging residents to remain involved. Public hearings are scheduled for April 12 and 26.
MAYOR LISA MERKEL and the Herndon Town Council sponsors the annual Mayor's Volunteer Appreciation Night.
The Town honors hundreds of people from Herndon.
The 32nd annual event is scheduled for Sunday, April 10 at 7 p.m. at the Herndon Community Center to recognize Herndon's volunteers.
See http://www.herndon-va.gov: click on Town Council and then on Mayor’s Volunteer Appreciation for information on nominating people for Outstanding Volunteers, Distinguished Service Award and Distinguished Corporate Service Award to the Department of Parks and Recreation by Friday, March 4.
THE TOWN SEEKS representatives from the town’s business community to serve on a newly-created Economic Development Advisory Committee. “The committee will advise the Town Council on matters related to economic development, which include business retention and expansion, new development and marketing opportunities,” according to Town documents.
Members will be appointed by the Town Council and must own or manage a business in the town or live in the town and have expertise in their business sector.
The committee hopes to have representation the arts community, the downtown business community, small business owners, hotel and hospitality sector, large employers, real estate sector, restaurants, and technology.
See www.herndon-va.gov for applications to all of the Town’s boards, commissions and advisory and ad hoc committees.
Applications are also at the clerk’s office in the Herndon Municipal Center, 777 Lynn Street.