Taugher Block Urban Renewal Area Redevelopment

CITY OF MOUNT VERNON, OHIO - REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
Taugher Block Urban Renewal Area Redevelopment
Issue Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Statements of Qualifications Due: Friday, October 16, 2026
1. INVITATION
The City of Mount Vernon, Ohio ("City") invites Statements of Qualifications ("SOQs") from
qualified developers, development teams, firms, and partnerships interested in the preservation,
rehabilitation, redevelopment, and adaptive reuse of City-owned property within the Taugher
Block Urban Renewal Area in historic Downtown Mount Vernon.
The City seeks an experienced and financially capable development partner that can work
collaboratively with the City to establish and implement a long-term redevelopment strategy for
this prominent downtown block.
The City's objective is not simply to dispose of municipal real estate. Rather, the City seeks a
redevelopment partner capable of producing a project that preserves important elements of
Mount Vernon's historic downtown, places underutilized property back into productive use,
encourages private investment, expands economic activity, and contributes to the continued
revitalization of the Public Square.
The successful respondent should demonstrate the experience, financial capacity, creativity,
and long-term commitment necessary to transform the site into a productive mixed-use
destination that complements Downtown Mount Vernon.
2. PROJECT BACKGROUND
The Taugher Block occupies a prominent location on and immediately adjacent to Mount
Vernon's historic Public Square.
The City of Mount Vernon acquired several properties within the block beginning in 2022 as part
of previous planning efforts associated with municipal facilities. Following further evaluation and
significant community discussion, the City determined that redevelopment and preservation of
the block for private and community-oriented uses represented a preferable long-term
opportunity.
On June 22, 2026, Mount Vernon City Council designated the properties as an Urban Renewal
Area to facilitate a comprehensive approach to their preservation and redevelopment.
The Urban Renewal Area generally includes the following City-owned properties:
Taugher Building - 46-51 Public Square

1-7 East High Street
9 East High Street
3 North Gay Street
5 North Gay Street - Plaza Building
Respondents are responsible for independently verifying parcel numbers, dimensions, building
areas, physical conditions, zoning requirements, utility conditions, environmental conditions, title
matters, and other information relevant to a potential redevelopment.
The City recognizes that the buildings vary substantially in their physical condition and
redevelopment potential. Respondents are therefore encouraged to approach the property as a
coordinated redevelopment opportunity while identifying appropriate treatment for individual
structures.
3. CITY'S REDEVELOPMENT VISION
The City intends for redevelopment of the Taugher Block to strengthen the Public Square as the
commercial and civic heart of Mount Vernon.
The City is particularly interested in proposals that:
Historic Preservation and Adaptive Reuse
Preserve and rehabilitate the Taugher Building to the greatest extent reasonably and
economically practicable and maintain an architectural character compatible with Downtown
Mount Vernon.
Preservation and adaptive reuse of additional structures within the Urban Renewal Area are
strongly encouraged where physically and financially feasible.
Active Ground-Floor Uses
Create active street-level uses that contribute to pedestrian activity and downtown vitality.
Potential uses may include:
Restaurants and food-related businesses;
Retail
Entertainment
Hospitality
Professional or commercial services
Community gathering spaces
Other complementary downtown uses

Upper-Floor Development
Explore productive use of upper floors, including:
Residential units
Workforce or other appropriate downtown housing
Office space
Hospitality
Flexible commercial space
Other uses consistent with a vibrant mixed-use downtown
Downtown Destination
Create a development that encourages residents and visitors to spend additional time in
Downtown Mount Vernon and complements existing businesses, institutions, attractions, and
public investments.
The City encourages creative concepts involving restaurants, retail, entertainment, public
gathering spaces, patios, courtyards, pedestrian connections, and other features capable of
establishing the block as a recognizable downtown destination.
Public Realm
Enhance the relationship between the redevelopment and:
Public Square
East High Street
North Gay Street
Existing sidewalks and pedestrian connections
Nearby public parking
Streetscape improvements
Other downtown properties
Parking and Accessibility
Provide a practical strategy for parking, deliveries, building access, ADA accessibility, and
circulation appropriate for the proposed uses.
The City recognizes the challenges inherent in adapting historic downtown structures to
contemporary accessibility requirements and encourages innovative solutions.
Infrastructure and Utilities
Evaluate existing and required:
Water service

Sanitary sewer
Stormwater management
Electrical service
Natural gas
Telecommunications
Fire suppression
Refuse collection
Other building systems
Economic Development
Return underutilized public property to productive economic use and create sustainable
long-term revenue and economic activity through private investment, business creation,
employment, property improvements, downtown residency, and increased visitor activity.
4. DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES
The City will give strong consideration to development concepts demonstrating the following
principles:
Preservation over demolition: Demolition should not be proposed merely for convenience.
Where demolition of a structure or portion of a structure is proposed, the respondent should
clearly demonstrate why rehabilitation is not technically or economically feasible.
Authentic downtown character: New construction, additions, exterior modifications, signage,
materials, lighting, and streetscape elements should complement the architectural character of
Mount Vernon's historic downtown without requiring false historical replication.
Mixed uses: The City encourages a combination of uses that creates activity throughout the
day and evening, as well as weekend activity.
Private investment: The selected developer must demonstrate the ability to provide or secure
sufficient private capital to successfully complete the project.
Financial sustainability: Proposed uses should demonstrate a credible path toward long-term
economic viability.
Timely implementation: The City does not intend for the property to remain dormant following
selection of a development partner.
Community benefit: The City will consider the broader economic, architectural, cultural, and
quality-of-life benefits of the project when evaluating respondents.
5. POSSIBLE CITY PARTICIPATION

The City recognizes that rehabilitation of historic downtown structures can present extraordinary
development costs.
Accordingly, the City is willing to discuss reasonable public-private partnership mechanisms that
may be necessary to achieve a financially viable project, provided that any public participation
produces a demonstrable public benefit.
Potential tools may include, where legally available and separately authorized:
Negotiated acquisition or conveyance of City-owned property
Long-term lease arrangements
Tax Increment Financing
New Community Authority financing where applicable
Community Reinvestment Area incentives
Historic preservation tax credits
Brownfield remediation assistance
JobsOhio or Ohio Department of Development programs
Infrastructure improvements
Utility coordination
Public parking arrangements
Grants or other economic development programs
Other lawful development incentives.
Respondents should not assume that any particular incentive will be provided.
The City strongly encourages respondents to identify the minimum level of public
participation necessary to make their proposed redevelopment financially feasible.
6. SCOPE OF DEVELOPER RESPONSIBILITIES
The selected development team will be expected to work collaboratively with the City and its
consultants to advance the redevelopment from concept through implementation.
Responsibilities may include:
Completing detailed due diligence regarding the buildings and property;
Evaluating structural, architectural, environmental, utility, and infrastructure conditions;
Preparing a comprehensive redevelopment concept;
Developing conceptual architectural and site plans;
Identifying proposed uses and prospective tenants or operators;
Preparing preliminary and final project budgets;
Developing a capital stack and financing strategy;
Identifying available historic preservation and economic development incentives;
Coordinating with the City regarding the Urban Renewal Plan;
Participating in community and stakeholder engagement as requested by the City;

Negotiating a development agreement, property transfer agreement, lease, or other
appropriate agreement with the City;
Completing design, permitting, financing, construction, leasing, and project
management;
Maintaining the properties following acquisition or control; and
Completing the redevelopment according to an agreed-upon development schedule.
7. STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS
SOQs should be concise but sufficiently detailed to allow the City to evaluate the respondent's
ability to successfully complete the redevelopment.
Respondents should provide the following information.
A. Development Team
Identify:
Lead developer;
Development partners;
Architect;
Historic preservation consultant, if identified;
Engineer;
Construction partner;
Financial partners;
Property management partner; and
Other significant members of the development team.
Identify the person who will serve as the City's primary contact.
B. Relevant Experience
Provide examples of projects demonstrating experience with:
Historic rehabilitation;
Adaptive reuse;
Mixed-use development;
Downtown redevelopment;
Complex or distressed properties;
Public-private partnerships;
Urban infill development; and
Projects utilizing historic tax credits or other economic development incentives.

Preference will be given to teams that can demonstrate successful completion, not merely
planning, of comparable projects.
For each relevant project, provide:
Project name and location;
Approximate development cost;
Description of the project;
Developer's role;
Financing structure;
Public participation, if applicable;
Before and after photographs when available;
Completion date; and
Reference information.
C. Financial Capacity
Demonstrate the financial ability to undertake a project of this nature.
Information may include:
General description of available equity;
Relationships with financial institutions;
Experience raising development capital;
Experience using historic tax credits;
Experience obtaining state or federal development incentives;
Evidence of successful financing of comparable projects; and
Other information demonstrating financial capacity.
The City may request additional confidential financial documentation from shortlisted
respondents.
D. Preliminary Redevelopment Approach
Provide a narrative describing the respondent's preliminary vision for the Taugher Block.
The City is not requiring final architectural plans as part of this RFQ.
The narrative should discuss:
Proposed or potential uses;
Approach to preserving the Taugher Building;
Treatment of other buildings in the Urban Renewal Area;
Ground-floor activation;
Upper-floor uses;

Parking;
Accessibility;
Public gathering areas;
Relationship to Public Square;
Historic character;
Potential phasing; and
Overall economic concept.
Conceptual sketches, precedent images, diagrams, or renderings may be included but are not
required.
E. Financial Approach
Provide a preliminary discussion of:
Anticipated private investment;
Potential financing sources;
Historic tax credits;
State and federal programs;
Anticipated public-private financing tools;
Any expected City participation; and
Major financial risks.
Exact development costs are not required at the RFQ stage. Estimates are appreciated.
F. Development Schedule
Provide an estimated schedule addressing:
Due diligence;
Concept development;
Financing;
Design;
Regulatory approvals;
Construction commencement; and
Substantial completion.
G. References
Provide at least three references familiar with the respondent's development experience and
performance.

8. EVALUATION CRITERIA
The City intends to evaluate qualifications based upon the overall strength of each respondent
and may consider the following factors:
Evaluation Factor Weight
Relevant Development Experience 20%
Historic Preservation and Adaptive Reuse 20%
Experience
Financial Capacity and Ability to Execute 20%
Preliminary Redevelopment Vision 15%
Economic Development and Community 10%
Benefit
Experience with Public-Private Partnerships 10%
and Incentives
Development Schedule and Organizational 5%
Capacity
Total 100%

The City reserves the right to modify these factors, conduct interviews, request supplemental
information, or seek additional clarification from respondents.
9. SELECTION PROCESS
The City anticipates utilizing a qualifications-based process.
Following review of the SOQs, the City may select a shortlist of development teams for
interviews.
Shortlisted teams may be requested to provide additional information, including:
Refined redevelopment concepts;
Preliminary architectural materials;
Detailed financial information;
Development pro formas;
Sources and uses of funds;
Proposed acquisition or lease terms;
Requested public participation;
Project schedules;
Preservation commitments; and
Proposed development agreement terms.
The City may thereafter identify a preferred development partner and enter into negotiations.
Selection through this RFQ does not itself convey any interest in City property and does not
obligate the City to enter into a development agreement.
Any final transaction shall be subject to applicable Ohio law, the Urban Renewal Plan, required
legislative action by Mount Vernon City Council, and execution of appropriate agreements.
10. EXPECTED DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
The City anticipates that its relationship with the selected developer will ultimately be
memorialized through a development agreement and related conveyance, lease, or property
agreements.
The agreement may establish:
Purchase price or lease terms;
Required private investment;
Approved uses;
Preservation requirements;
Development milestones;