The Agency has issued a Request for Proposal for Redevelopment & Planning Consulting Services for 600 Main Street, Westover, in the Town of Union, NY. This property is the former BAE site or Air Force Plant 59.
The Broome County Industrial Development Agency (hereinto referred as “The Agency”) is seeking proposals from qualified Consultants to perform studies, prepare plans and other deliverables related to potential future sale, reuse, and redevelopment of the former BAE Systems facility located at 600 Main Street, in the Westover community in the Town of Union (hereinto referred as the “Property”). The Property was severely damaged by the flooding of the Susquehanna River in September 2011 and has since been demolished. The U.S. Airforce will transfer title of the property to The Agency in 2018.
In September 2011, the Property was completely destroyed by flood waters from Tropical Storm Lee, as was much of the Westover Neighborhood in the Town of Union.
The short-term result of this was the displacement of nearly 1,500 employees at BAE Systems, the sole tenant of the building. In 2012, BAE requested abandonment, and since that time the property sat vacant. Upon the recent completion of the demolition by the U.S. Air Force, ownership of the Property will be transferred to The Agency.
The location of the Property is strategically significant, with access to the interstate highway system (within one mile), proximity to Binghamton University (across the NYS Route 201 bridge), and its location adjacent to the Johnson City Health and Cultural District and JC iDistrict. The Property is also one of the few remaining large development sites within Broome County’s urban core. We also recognize that the Property has the potential for future flooding, as it is currently entirely in the 500-year floodplain. *Should the Town adopt proposed new flood maps, the site will be placed in the 100-year floodplain.
With these facts in mind, The Agency proposes to complete a detailed feasibility study that would identify:
- Existing conditions and pre-development costs;
- Identification of potential uses, including an active community engagement process to prioritize potential uses;
- Market analysis of potential uses as identified.
The goal of this effort is to identify the highest and best use for the Property in alignment with the desired goals of the host municipality (Town of Union) and in alignment with the Southern Tier Upstate Revitalization Initiative, the Broome County Comprehensive Plan, the Town of Union Community Plan for Recovery and Resiliency, and the Town of Union Unified Comprehensive Plan.
In addition, this effort will align with stated federal goals and objectives following the closure of a defense or military contract. As stated in the Office for Economic Adjustment (OEA), the redevelopment of the Property aligns with OEA’s mission to “create a positive environment for economic growth, innovative land use strategies and enhanced quality of life.”
PROPERTY INFORMATION
The Property includes a 27-acre parcel of land on which the former BAE facility was located and an additional 2.3 acre parking lot that is situated across the street from the site. A Legal Description and Site Survey was commissioned by The Agency, and completed by Keystone Associates in August 2017.
All post-demolition environmental assessments were provided to The Agency in coordination with the U.S. Airforce, who was responsible for demolishing the existing structure. The extent of the environmental remediation (if necessary) will depend on decisions regarding the future land use(s) to be placed on the Property. All relevant reports and documentation received following the demolition will be provided to the selected Consultant/Consultant Team.
To receive a copy of the RFP, please contact Stacey Duncan, Deputy Director for Community & Economic Development at 607.584.9000 or smd@theagency-ny.com. RFP submissions are due by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, February 26, 2018.
CLICK HERE to access the RFP online.