Request for Information (RFI):
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Demolition and Revitalization Program
St. Louis County Department of Transportation and Public Works
June 20, 2023
1. RFI OVERVIEW
St. Louis County is seeking input from non-profits, commercial developers, and other subject matter experts to gather information and inform decision-making to address vacant and problem properties within St. Louis County. The County plans to use $11 million in ARPA State Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) appropriated under Ordinance 28,594 to carry out demolition and revitalization efforts that qualify as eligible expenditures under ARPA.
This RFI is for informational purposes only, and no contract will be awarded specifically in response to it. A response to the RFI or lack thereof will have no impact on the evaluation of responses to any future solicitations that the County may release. Responses to this RFI will be used solely for information and planning purposes.
All responses to this RFI will be subject to applicable open records laws. Do not submit confidential information in your response.
1.1 RFI Timeline
Dates and/or other terms may be modified or amended via the e-procurement portal (VSS).
RFI Released ............................ June 20, 2023
RFI Information Session........... June 29, 2023
Deadline for Questions July 14, 2023
Responses Due ......................... July 28, 2023
1.2 Submission information
Submit responses, questions, comments, and suggestions, including notifications of apparent errors, to the Designated Point of Contact by e-mail. Paper copies cannot be accepted. The e-mail subject heading should say: ARPA Demolition and Revitalization Program for St. Louis County.
Bill Walterscheid, Division Manager of Code Enforcement
Department of Transportation and Public Works
bwalterscheid@stlouiscountymo.gov
314-615-7145
You may also submit responses to the County’s e-procurement portal at https://stlouiscountymovendors.munisselfservice.com/Vendors/default.aspx
If you submit through the County’s portal, you will be automatically notified when a solicitation is released.
1.3 Information Session
An optional Information Session will be held virtually on June 29, 2023 at 11:30am CST in advance of the submission deadline. The session will be open to both prospective respondents and community members. If you are interested in participating, go to https://stcoit-evt.webex.com/weblink/register/redae9f07f72eb89e0963353399d934a7 to register and participate. Answers given at the information session will be tentative, and final answers will be provided via a Q&A document released after the Deadline for Questions. A recording of the RFI Information Session may be posted to St. Louis County’s website.
2. BACKGROUND
There are currently over 1,100 vacant properties across St. Louis County. County Ordinance 28,594 appropriated $11,000,000 “for support of demolition activities necessary to address vacant and abandoned properties within St. Louis County as permissible under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA).”
2.1 Goals and Outcomes
The County intends to demolish as many vacant and abandoned properties as possible to reduce public health and safety risks, and to carry out revitalization efforts within the demolished properties and the broader neighborhoods. Therefore, the County will provide funding for entities to acquire vacant and abandoned properties from property owners and conduct demolition and revitalization efforts within the acquired properties and broader neighborhood.
The goal of this RFI is to gather input from interested entities and to inform them of demolition and revitalization efforts the County may fund.
2.2 Eligible Activities
To qualify as eligible expenditures under ARPA SLFRF, demolition of vacant or abandoned buildings must be paired with greening or other lot improvement as part of a strategy for neighborhood revitalization, in accordance with SLFRF Expenditure Category 2.22 Strong Healthy Communities: Neighborhood Features that Promote Health and Safety.
Eligible revitalization activities are broad. Activities may include projects that improve public health and safety within the community, such as addressing housing needs through affordable housing development, addressing food deserts through grocery stores, improving public health through parks, trails, bike paths, or recreation centers, and addressing pedestrian safety through improved walkways and security features. Revitalization activities must occur within the demolished property, but can be extended to the broader neighborhood, such as resident home improvement support or neighborhood clean-up and beautification activities.
Revitalization activities can also include providing affordable housing. Locations for demolition and revitalization activities must be equitably selected and stakeholder engagement should be included in any proposed use of the ARPA SLFRF funding. Projects should be informed by community input and reflect the priorities of the neighborhoods in which revitalization efforts will occur.
2.3 Eligible Locations
Demolition and revitalization activities must occur in County areas located within Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs). There is no limit to the property size or number of properties for demolition and revitalization activities. See the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Mapping Tool for QCTs within St. Louis County. The County has also developed a Vacant and Abandoned Property Mapping Tool identifying properties within St. Louis County for reference. The properties identified within the Mapping Tool is not an exhaustive listing; the County continues to investigate and identify additional vacant and abandoned properties, which will periodically be integrated into the Vacant and Abandoned Property Mapping Tool.
2.4 Period of Performance
All funds appropriated under Ordinance 28,594 must be obligated by December 31, 2024 and liquidated, or expended, by December 31, 2026. The project period of performance may vary according to the projects proposed but all projects will be subject to the rules and regulations that govern ARPA SLFRF.
3. INFORMATION REQUESTED
3.1 Who We’re Looking For
St. Louis County is interested in receiving input from organizations and individuals that may include Housing non-profits, commercial developers, community organizations focused on housing assistance, and other subject matter experts. In particular, the County is seeking responses from entities with experience carrying out demolition and revitalization activities.
3.2 What We’re Looking For
Responses should address the questions asked. Graphics or mapping images can be included but are not necessary, nor are references and examples of prior work. Do not provide sales and publicity information, political tracts, or other information unrelated to the questions asked.
Contact Information (Optional)
If you are willing to answer additional questions or provide additional information to the County, provide contact information below. This information is entirely voluntary and whether it is provided or not will have no bearing on any future contract that may or may not be awarded.
Organization Name:
Point of Contact Name:
Contact Email:
Contact Phone Number:
Contact Phone Number:
Opinion of Project Cost:
Provide answers to the questions on the following page in the order given. The County cannot accept hand-written responses, but the questions can be copied and pasted. If you choose not to answer a particular question, simply mark it as NA (not applicable). Be sure to include the question number.
Answers may be submitted to the Designated Point of Contact or via the County’s VSS portal.
The County appreciates your efforts and thanks you for your participation.
QUESTIONS:
1. Have you had any prior experience with demolition or revitalization projects, or obtaining and managing vacant properties? If so, describe.
2. What type of project would you envision carrying out? How many do you realistically feel that you could handle?
3. What neighborhoods or locations would you target? Why? Could you work County-wide?
4. DEMOLITION –
a. What has been your experience removing hazardous material, demolishing multi-story structures, having rights to salvage, and securing property title?
b. What do you feel is a rough estimate for demolition of a 2000 sq ft residential property with a basement? Without a basement?
c. What other factors would you need to consider for pricing demolition?
5. REVITALIZATION
a. What types of revitalization activities would you provide?
b. What do you believe is a reasonable sq ft estimate for greening or revitalizing activities you would propose?
c. What factors would you need to consider for pricing the revitalization you would propose.
6. PROPERTY ACQUISITION
a. Are you open to acquiring vacant and abandoned properties with these funds?
b. What are the major factors you would need to consider before agreeing to take over an abandoned property?
7. For the activities you propose, what would be your general project timeline?
8. Would you be able to accomplish the activities by December 31, 2026?
9. What are your anticipated project challenges or concerns, if any?
10. What would you need from the County to undertake the activities you propose?
11. Have you ever worked with federal agencies, and have you managed the paperwork and reporting requirements associated with federal funding? If so, what agencies?