MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY REQUEST FOR LETTERS OF INTEREST DEVELOPMENT OF THE MASSPORT MARINE TERMINAL The Massachusetts Port Authority ( Massport ) is seeking Letters of Interest for available development parcels within the Massport Marine Terminal ( MMT ) in South Boston, MA. (See Figure 1) PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES Massport is interested in development ideas / concepts for the MMT that will advance its core mission related to developing and operating the Port of Boston, provide support to the seafood and other maritime industries, and advance economic development including creating and sustaining a mix of blue collar jobs. The responses to this RFI will assist Massport in determining the most appropriate next steps for procurement leading to the development of the MMT. Massport s overall objectives for this Request for Letters of Interest (RFI) are as follows: 1. Solicit development ideas for uses that support, expand, and strengthen the seafood industry in the area. 2. Solicit development ideas for maritime industrial activities, such as warehousing, logistics, break bulk, and bulk operations, particularly those with a potential synergy with Conley Terminal operations. 3. Solicit development ideas that complement and enhance the site and provide opportunities for economic development and industrial job creation. 4. Identify demand for and opportunities to provide programmatic enhancement to the seafood district, such as a special destination public seafood market, auction, or a seafood industry incubator. 5. Inform Massport s planning and the Boston Redevelopment Authority s ongoing Boston Marine Industrial Park Master Plan. 6. Inform Massport as to the next steps, which may include one or more Request for Proposals ( RFP ) processes, further discussions, or negotiations with one or more respondents. 7. Solicit interest from a diverse mix of respondents and attract teams that include minority-owned and women-owned businesses or participants in various capacities, such as architectural, financial, investment, or management. Massport is open to ideas that would lead to the eventual development of a single building or multiple buildings, as defined by the respondent, or a larger-scale development of the whole site. Concepts may include buildings with single or multi-tenant end-users, as well as single or multi-party ownership arrangements for the proposed buildings. Responses to this RFI are strongly encouraged to include minority-owned and women-owned businesses. For any future procurement steps that may follow this RFI, Massport will continue to place a high priority on the participation of minority-owned and women-owned businesses Page 1 of 7
and individuals in all components of development projects (owner/ developer, consultant, design / construction and operations). BACKGROUND The MMT is located on Boston Inner Harbor within the Boston Marine Industrial Park in South Boston (see Figure 2). The entire property is owned by the Economic Development and Industrial Corporation of Boston ( EDIC ) and is leased to Massport through February 20, 2070. Existing today at the MMT are the Legal Sea Foods Quality Control Center and the Harbor Seafood Center, a multi-tenant seafood processing facility, both constructed in the early 2000s, as well as Massport maritime operations and a number of licensed interim uses. Site Description: A contiguous area of approximately 31 acres. An adjacent waterfront parcel (Parcel 3) of approximately 1.5 acres, which is intended for water access for seafood industry purposes. The entire site is located within the South Boston Designated Port Area and is also subject to Massachusetts Chapter 91 Waterways regulations. Excellent truck route and highway connections to Boston metro and the region, Logan International Airport, and Conley Container Terminal. (See Figure 3) Potential access to existing deepwater North Jetty berth at the eastern end of the site. Special Site Considerations (See Figure 2) Massport Operations: Massport reserves the right to use up to 7 acres of land at the MMT to support its Maritime Department operations; for the purposes of the RFI, respondents can assume this area can be flexibly located and configured. Parcel 3: Optimal location for potential seafood vessel berthing/off-loading at the MMT; respondents considering the use of Parcel 3 must address this issue. Track 61 Right-of-way: Various studies have developed plans to extend freight rail to the MMT and North Jetty along Fid Kennedy Avenue; if relevant, respondents should opine on the role of rail at the site and its impact on site development. North Jetty Berth: Unique hardened-edge, deepwater berth in Boston Harbor, but in need of significant investment. Infrastructure: The property will require significant expansion of site infrastructure, such as roadways, utilities, etc. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS Entities responding to this RFI should submit ten (10 copies), including one signed original and (1) CD-ROM or USB flash drive containing a PDF version of the entire Letter of Interest. The submission should include the following: 1. Cover letter: Include the name of entity, key team members, general description of concept, and contact information (including email). 2. Project Concept Statement: Massport is inviting submissions for two basic approaches; a) projects that are exclusive to seafood processing and infrastructure, maritime, and maritime related uses; and, Page 2 of 7
b) projects that include seafood and maritime related uses within a larger mixed use concept, although still compliant with the South Boston DPA and Chapter 91 Waterways Regulations. In order to describe your project concept the following should be submitted in written form: - Idea/concept overview, building use(s) and land use(s), approximate size (SF) of building(s) and site area needed, locational considerations, etc. and why the MMT would be the appropriate place for this project idea. - Identify potential critical issues and tasks for moving the project forward. This may include discussion of infrastructure needs, phasing, etc. - Describe conceptual timeframe for the development, identifying critical issues and key coordination required. - Additional written or graphic information you choose to include 3. Experience: - Describe the relevant experience of key project team members in planning, development, and/or management and operations of the proposed project type. - Identify previous project experience on land owned by state or local government or other public agencies and authorities. - Identify any outstanding claims, unresolved disputes, or pending legal actions with state or local government or other public agencies or authorities. REGISTRATION, QUESTIONS, AND SUBMISSION OF LETTERS OF INTEREST Interested parties are required to register on-line at http://www.massport.com/business-withmassport/goods-and-services/rfps/ to download the full Request for Letters of Interest. Contact information is required so that Massport can provide registrants with future information or procedural updates regarding the RFI. IMPORTANT: Any questions regarding this RFI should be sent to MMTQuestions@massport.com no later than Tuesday, September 29, 2015, by 4:00 PM. No phone calls will be accepted. All questions will be shared with other registrants, without attribution, along with Massport s responses. Massport will issue responses at http://www.massport.com/business-withmassport/goods-and-services/rfps/ and via email to registrants no later than Friday, October 9, 2015. Responses to this RFI are due on Tuesday, October 27, 2015, by 4:00 PM and should be addressed to: Mr. Mike Grieco, Assistant Secretary Treasurer Administration and Finance Department Massachusetts Port Authority One Harborside Drive, Suite 200S East Boston, MA 02128-2909 Page 3 of 7
NEXT STEPS Massport is issuing this RFI for informational and planning purposes to assist the Authority in developing the MMT. Massport, in its sole discretion, may use responses for planning purposes in preparation of a Request for Qualifications ( RFQ ) or Request for Proposals ( RFP ) process; hold discussions with one or more respondents regarding their Letter of Interest; and/or begin negotiations for a more formal agreement (sub-lease or development agreement) with one or more respondents. Massport reserves the right to postpone or withdraw this RFI; to accept or reject any and all Letters of Interest; to modify or amend the terms of this RFI prior to the receipt of letters; or to waive any requirement of this RFI with respect to all respondents. Failure to respond to this RFI will not preclude the ability to respond to any future RFIs, RFQs, or RFPs. Page 4 of 7
Appendices: Figure 1: Site Location Page 5 of 7
Figure 2: Site Context Page 6 of 7
Figure 3: Site Transportation Context Page 7 of 7