Request for Proposal for 191-193 South Hanover Street (Hess Lot) Development
Proposals should be submitted to:
Peggy Lee-Clark
Pottstown Area Economic Development
152 East High Street, Suite 200, Pottstown, PA 19464
(610) 326-2900
pleeclark@paedinc.org
For those who would like a pre-bidding meeting, please contact PAED at (610) 326-2900.
191-193 South Hanover Street (Hess Lot)
REQUEST FOR DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
Pottstown Area Economic Development (PAED) is seeking a qualified, professional commercial developer for
completion of the redevelopment/development of the lot at 191-193 South Hanover Street within the Borough
of Pottstown. These proposals should be consistent with current generally accepted planning and development
principals. It should be a context sensitive design that brings the property back to revenue generating use
described in a detailed project narrative that is accepted by PAED.
The tasks are as outlined below but commercial developers should submit a phased proposal that will allow the
process to follow each phase.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Pottstown Area Economic Development is a private 501c(3) entity located in the Borough of Pottstown. As
stated in the 1965 articles of incorporation the purpose of PAED is to provide a charitable organization through
which public-spirited citizens can develop, promote, encourage and protect the economic welfare of the
Greater Pottstown Area of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, with the result that economic well-being of the
community will be increased, investments in the community will be stimulated and employment opportunities
of the inhabitants of the community will be enlarged. The Executive Director of PAED is Peggy Lee-Clark.
The parcel at 191-193 South Hanover Street in the Borough of Pottstown is a grassy 20,000 square foot lot that
formerly held a Hess gas station. The parcel is located on the west side of South Hanover Street, between
College Drive and South Street. There is potential for assistance with environmental work through
Montgomery County Redevelopment Authority. Redevelopment Authority assistance would be limited to a
value of $25,000.00.
PURPOSE AND INTENT
Through this request for Proposal & Qualifications (RFP), the Borough of Pottstown seeks to engage a
developer for the development / redevelopment of the 191-193 South Hanover Street (Hess Lot) parcel located
in the Borough. This contract will be awarded through a fair and open process.
SCOPE OF WORK
Implementation Experience (20 points)
Describe your team’s prior experience and capacity to implement projects similar to the one that your
organization is proposing. Describe any experience with environmental remediation including gas tank
removal in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection guidance.
Financing (15 points)
The developer will provide documentation that shows their ability to secure financing for the proposed project
as well as the ability to secure tenants following the completion of the redevelopment of the parcel.
Context Sensitive Design (30 points)
The developer will plan and design building architecture that is compatible with the area’s surroundings and
nearby historic structures. The developer will plan and design for compatibility with surrounding land uses and
focus on its impact to surrounding neighborhoods. There is a preference for plans which can offer public
amenities or provide LEED certification or otherwise implement energy efficient and environmentally
sensitive building and site design or features.
Desired End Uses (40 points)
The developer will provide detailed projections of annual property tax revenue for redeveloped parcel (County,
School District, and Borough). The developer will provide detailed projections of the number and types of jobs
created. The developer will provide detailed proposals describing the nature of the land use(s) i.e. Commercial,
institutional, or Mixed-use. The developer should include percentages for each proposed land use as well as the
specific nature of end users that will occupy the space i.e. retail, or office. There is a preference for proposals
that incorporate a recreation related end use.
PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
A Project Narrative describing how the proposal meets the points outlined above.
A Site Plan drawn to scale including design element renderings with table showing how parking and
dimensional requirements in zoning and land development ordinances will be met.
Architectural Elevations from multiple approaches, showing color and materials of building(s) and
site features.
A Business Plan describing how the applicant will finance the project before and during construction.
Describe upon completion of project the proposed ownership structure, projected income, and expenses and
plans for maintaining the development once it is established.
The project must conform to allowable uses in the Downtown Gateway district. Developers must have
5-10 years of experience in successful completion of commercial projects. The developer will provide
purchase price for the parcel. The developer will show the ability to implement seventy-five (75) percent of the
project within a two-year timeline. The developer must be prepared to relieve any future environmental issues
and required work from Pottstown Area Industrial, Inc. dba Pottstown Area Economic Development and the
Borough of Pottstown.
PURCHASE PRICE
The minimum bid begins at $125,000.
BUDGET
All proposals must include a breakdown of costs associated with each of the tasks identified in the scope of
work and a total for the overall project.
PROPOSAL EVALUATION CRITERIA
All proposals will be evaluated by, and a consultant selected by, the project task force consisting of
representatives from the Borough of Pottstown.
All proposals will be graded based on the four items identified in the proposal requirements. Specific
considerations within those criteria include the ability to meet municipal expectations, the capacity to begin the
project in six (6) months, realistic project timeline, relevant project experience, and best project value. Bonus
points will be awarded for those plans which have the ability to offer public amenities, incorporate a
recreational related end use, or provide LEED certification or otherwise implement energy efficient and
environmentally sensitive building and site design or features.
The Borough of Pottstown may at their sole discretion decline to make an award or award all or a part of the
scope of work to one or more developers and is in no way bound to award the work to one consultant or to the
lowest priced response.
SUBMISSION INFORMATION
All submissions should be presented in the following format:
• PDF format plus two (2) hard copies
• 10-page limit not including plans and elevations
Proposals are to be valid for 90 days from the date of the submitted proposal.
ATTACHMENTS
Existing / historic features site plan: Hess Lot Appraisal – Indian Valley 12-21-2011
Available utilities / utility plan: Hess Lot – Utilities Plan
Copy of property deed 12/12/2006: Hess Lot – Deed 12-12-2006
Copy of property deed 12/22/2006: Hess Lot – Deed 12-22-2006
1996 PA DEP compliance issues summary: 2005-04-19 Ltr to Hess Corp. from DEP re Storage Tank Program
2011 Phase 1 environmental site assessment: Hess Lot – Phase I Environmental Site Assessment 08-09-2010
2020 Environmental Geophysical Survey: Draft Hess Lot geo Physical Survey Results
2020 Appraisal report: 2020-188 appraisal report
Proposals requested by 5:00 p.m. on January 31, 2023 to: