BDC Issues Request For Proposals (RFP)

Updated (Sept. 24, 2009) – More links (scroll to bottom)

Senator Theatre RFP cover sheet

The Baltimore Development Corporation has officially issued a Request For Proposals for the purchase or lease of the historic Senator Theatre today, on behalf of Baltimore City.

Announcement excerpt

The goals of BDC in offering this RFP include, but are not limited to, the following:

A) Solicit a respondent who will purchase or lease the Senator for use primarily as a movie theater and/or performing arts venue, though additional uses are also welcome
B) Maintain a schedule of events which keeps the Senator active throughout the week
C) Reinforce the mutually beneficial relationship between the Senator, Belvedere Square, surrounding communities, and the Govanstowne business district by serving as a positive economic generator for the area
D) Respect and capitalize on the building’s rich history
E) Complement and maintain the property’s unique historic interior and exterior features
F) Achieve the highest quality of architectural and interior design
G) Renovate the Senator to ensure the comfort and safety of patrons and employees enhance patrons’ experience and incorporate the services, amenities, and support facilities necessary to attract and accommodate a range of events and patrons (per event)
H) Achieve positive impact for the City including quality jobs increased tax revenues community stabilization opportunities for minority and women owned businesses and contribution to the City’s long term economic growth objectives and
I) Create a primarily privately-funded project with minimal public sector financial support.

The RFP document can be downloaded from the BDC’s web site at: http://www.baltimoredevelopment.com/proposals.aspx

A “pre-proposal conference” is scheduled to be held:
Monday, October 5, 2009 @ 10AM
The Senator Theatre
Notification of attendance required
[note: we asked for clarification regarding who can attend. Kristen Mitchell (BDC Senior Economic Officer) responded quite promptly:
“The October 5 meeting is open to anyone who is interested in submitting a response to the RFP.”]

Additional information and/or notice of intention to attend the Oct. 5 conference:
Kristen Mitchell
BDC Senior Economic Development Officer
410-837-9305

LINKS:

• WBAL: Proposals Accepted For Senator Theatre & interview audio with Kim Clark (Executive Vice President of the BDC) by Anne Kramer
• Baltimore Sun: City seeks proposals for using Senator Theatre by Lorraine Mirabella
  Excerpt: On Monday, [David] Cordish said in an e-mail that his company would not submit a bid, but would step in to help keep the theater going.
  “What we’ve said is that if the city is stuck, call us; we will form a nonprofit,” Cordish said.
• MD Daily Record:  City seeks buyer to run Senator Theatre by Robbie Whelan
• City Sets Guidelines for Senator Theatre by Luke Broadwater
• BDC Seeks Senator Theatre Encore by Daniel J. Sernovitz
• City Seeks Someone To Run Historic Movie House – WJZ TV (Maryland AP news)