DEPARTMENT: Center City Development & Operations
DEPARTMENT HEAD: John Jacks
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 1
SUBJECT:
RFP for Available Buildings at La Villita
SUMMARY:
This item is a briefing on a proposed Request for Proposals for Retail Shops, Galleries, Working Artist Studios and Restaurants for four buildings located within historic La Villita.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
La Villita is a historic, City-owned facility on the banks of the San Antonio River located in downtown within the Inner City Reinvestment Infill Policy Area (ICRIP) and the Inner City TIRZ #11. Currently, 19 of the available 25 spaces are leased as a result of a Request for Proposals (RFP) process the Department for Culture and Creative Development (DCCD) initiated.
In 2012, the City reviewed recommendations of previous studies with tenants and public and private stakeholders. Based on this review and analysis, the City developed a strategy to redevelop the facility and support downtown development goals. This included re-structuring La Villita's retail mix through issuance of a Request for Proposals for tenant selection. This RFP process was based upon the Retail Management Study recommendations completed in 2010, which cited the need to create a more diverse, unique retail offering, careful management of retailer mix and products with a specialization by artists and/or craft persons, and stronger controls over leasing management.
The City hosted a public meeting and presented recommendations to twelve stakeholder groups in order to gather feedback. This feedback resulted in recommendations to solicit a diverse, innovative, and unique retail mix centered on Art and Craft for specialized businesses in the following categories:
* Working Artist Studio Galleries: sale of art and/or crafts made on the premises
* Galleries: sale of works of art and/or crafts produced off premises
* Retail Shops - sale of unique, well designed go...
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