RFP-DV-2026-011 - 11 Garden St Community Space Operator
| Location: | New York |
|---|---|
| Posted: | May 12, 2026 |
| Due: | May 20, 2026 |
| Agency: | City of New Rochelle |
| Type of Government: | State & Local |
| Category: |
|
| Solicitation No: | RFP-DV-2026-011 |
| Publication URL: | To access bid details, please log in. |
| Bid Number: |
RFP-DV-2026-011
|
| Bid Title: |
RFP-DV-2026-011 - 11 Garden St Community Space Operator
|
| Category: | *Current Bids & RFPs |
| Status: | Open |
|
Attachment Preview
Department of Finance
515 North Avenue
New Rochelle, NY 10801
(914) 654-2072
Adam F. Ross
Deputy Commissioner
Ivonne Droese-Solomon
Purchasing Specialist
City of New Rochelle
New York
Specification No.
RFP-DV-2026-011
Request for Proposal:
11 Garden Street Community Space
Operator
1) INTENT/BACKGROUND/OVERVIEW
INTENT
The City of New Rochelle is seeking proposals from qualified teams or partnerships of organizations—
particularly, but not limited to, non-profits—to jointly operate, manage, program, and activate the
Community Incubator Space at 11 Garden Street as a vibrant, inclusive, and highly utilized community asset.
The selected operator team will be responsible for managing day-to-day operations and delivering a robust
programming model that serves residents across age groups—from youth to seniors—while supporting
entrepreneurship, cultural engagement, education, and community well-being. Through intentional
activation and inclusive programming, the Community Incubator Space will serve as a platform for testing
ideas, building relationships, and bringing community-driven solutions to life.
Programming may include, but is not limited to, hands-on workshops, skill-building classes, youth
enrichment and mentorship programs, cultural events and performances, small business and
entrepreneurship support, health and wellness activities, pop-up markets, and community-led initiatives.
The City encourages proposers to design programming that blends education, creativity, and practical
application, while creating multiple entry points for participation and fostering a sense of belonging and
ownership among residents.
Proposals that demonstrate creativity, cultural competency, and a clear strategy for sustained community
engagement through a strong roster/team of organizations will be viewed favorably.
The selected operator will be onboarded after the space is physically ready to be fully operational and
certified for occupancy.
BACKGROUND
The Community Incubator Space at 11 Garden Street represents a physical manifestation of the City of New
Rochelle’s broader economic development, cultural, and community-building ecosystem. Rather than
operating as a standalone facility, the space is intentionally designed to be a reflection of the City’s ongoing
investments, programs, and partnerships that support small businesses, workforce development, youth and
senior engagement, arts and culture, and neighborhood vitality.
This initiative builds upon and complements the City’s existing efforts to provide residents with new
RFP-DV-2026-011-1
community spaces, reduce barriers to opportunity, and create inclusive pathways for residents to participate
in and benefit from New Rochelle’s continued growth. The Community Incubator Space is envisioned as a
connective platform—linking residents to resources, entrepreneurs to markets, artists to audiences, and
community organizations to shared infrastructure—while reinforcing the City’s long-term vision for a
resilient, equitable, and vibrant community.
OVERVIEW
The City of New Rochelle is seeking proposals from qualified teams or partnerships of organizations—
particularly, but not limited to, non-profits—to jointly operate and program the Community Incubator Space
at 11 Garden Street, New Rochelle, NY, delivering the full range of identified services in alignment with prior
community engagement and assessed needs.
The facility comprises approximately 8,016 square feet across two floors, 3,431 square feet on the first floor
and 4,585 square feet on the second. The space is currently in a core and shell stage, but the designed flexible
layout is intended to accommodate workshops, classes, small performances, collaborative workspaces, pop-
up events, and community gatherings, and includes a commercial kitchen.
The space is envisioned as a dynamic gathering place where residents from across the city can come together
to learn, create, collaborate, and connect. Community programming is expected to be intentional,
accessible, and reflective of New Rochelle’s diversity, offering opportunities for residents of all ages—youth,
families, working adults, seniors, entrepreneurs, and creatives—to engage in meaningful activities that
support personal growth, economic opportunity, and community well-being. These are all elements
identified during the community engagement efforts around this asset in the past years.
RFP-DV-2026-011-2
2) PROPOSAL DUE DATE
Sealed proposals will be accepted up until 3:00 p.m. on May 6, 2026. Envelopes can be hand delivered
or mailed to the Purchasing Office, City of New Rochelle City Hall, 515 North Avenue, New Rochelle,
NY 10801, to the attention of Ivonne Droese-Solomon. Please note RFP-DV-2026-011 on your outside
mail package.
3) PRE-PROPOSAL MEETINGS
An on-site pre-proposal meeting will be held on 9:30 am April 23, 2026, at 11 Garden Street in New
Rochelle, NY.
Attendance is not mandatory but is highly encouraged.
The City reserves the right to amend the RFP based on questions and issues raised at any time
before the RFP submission deadline.
4) PRE-PROPOSAL QUESTIONS
All questions must be submitted in writing via e-mail to Ivonne Droese-Solomon, Purchasing
Specialist, at idroese@newrochelleny.gov, no later than noon on April 27, 2026. The City will post the
answers to the questions received on its website no later than 4:30 p.m. on April 29, 2026.
The City reserves the right to amend the RFP based on questions and issues raised at any time before the
RFP submission deadline.
RFP-DV-2026-011-3
5) ADDENDUMS
A Respondent, before submitting its Response, shall check the City’s website to see if any Addendum
or Addenda has/have been issued for the RFP and, if so, the Respondent must establish in writing that
they have received any and all Addendum or Addenda issued for the RFP. See attached Exhibit D.
6) CONE OF SILENCE
Cone of Silence, means a prohibition on any communication regarding a particular Request for
Proposal (“RFP”), Request for Qualification (“RFQ”) or Request for Bid ("RFB").
Pursuant to State Finance Law §139-j and §139-k, this solicitation includes and imposes certain
restrictions on communications between the City and a Bidder during the procurement process. A
Bidder is restricted from contacting, other than designated staff, from the earliest notice of intent to
solicit offers through final award and approval of the Procurement Contract by the Designated
Contracting Officer ("Restricted Period") unless it is a contact that is included among certain statutory
exceptions set forth in State Finance Law §139-j(3)(a). City employees are required to obtain certain
information when contacted during the Restricted Period. The designated staff contact is the Deputy
Finance Commissioner or his/her representative, telephone (914) 654-2072. Bidders responding to
this RFP must familiarize themselves with these State Finance Law requirements and will be
expected to affirm that they understand and agree to comply in their Proposal.
7) SCOPE OF WORK
The selected operator team shall be responsible for the comprehensive management, activation, and
programming of the Community Incubator Space at 11 Garden Street. The Scope of Work is intended to ensure
the space operates as a high-impact, inclusive community hub and as an extension of the City of New Rochelle’s
broader economic development ecosystem.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Facility Operations and Management
• Manage day-to-day operations of the Community Incubator Space, including scheduling, space
coordination, and general oversight.
• Ensure the space is maintained as a welcoming, accessible, and professional environment for all
users.
• Coordinate usage across multiple program types, partners, and audiences to maximize daily and
weekly utilization of the space.
• Develop and enforce policies related to space use, safety, access, and conduct.
• The operator is responsible for daily cleaning and trash disposal of the space.
2. Community Programming and Activation
• Design and deliver a diverse, year-round programming calendar that reflects community needs
and City priorities.
• Offer programming that supports:
o Entrepreneurship and small business development
o Youth development, mentorship, and educational enrichment
o Arts, culture, and creative expression
o Health, wellness, and community support
• Balance recurring programs with flexible, pop-up, and pilot initiatives that allow for
experimentation and community-led ideas.
RFP-DV-2026-011-4
• Activate the space during evenings and weekends, as appropriate, to ensure broad community
access.
3. Entrepreneurship and Business Incubation
• Provide structured opportunities for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to access resources,
mentorship, and workspace.
• Support food-based entrepreneurs through programming and access related to the commercial
kitchen.
• Facilitate pop-up retail, showcases, or demonstrations that allow entrepreneurs to test concepts
and build customer relationships.
• Coordinate with City-led business support initiatives to create clear pathways for business growth.
4. Youth, Workforce, and Skill Development
• Deliver or host programs that support academic achievement, leadership development, career
exploration, and workforce readiness.
• Partner with schools, nonprofits, and workforce organizations to expand youth access to
enrichment opportunities.
• Ensure programming is developmentally appropriate and inclusive across age groups.
5. Partnerships and Ecosystem Integration
• Establish and maintain partnerships with local nonprofits, educators, artists, entrepreneurs,
service providers, and institutions.
• Align programming with the City’s broader economic development, cultural, and community
initiatives.
• Serve as a connector between residents and City resources, programs, and opportunities.
6. Senior Programming and Engagement
• Develop and deliver programming for senior residents that promotes social connection, lifelong
learning, and health and wellness, including educational, cultural, and digital literacy activities.
• Partner with senior-serving organizations and service providers to expand offerings, increase
accessibility, and ensure programming reflects the needs and interests of older adults.
• Create inclusive opportunities for seniors to participate as mentors, facilitators, or contributors
to broader community programming, including intergenerational activities.
7. Community Engagement and Responsiveness
• Actively solicit community input to inform programming priorities and space utilization.
• Provide opportunities for residents to lead, host, or co-create programming.
• Adapt programming in response to participation data, feedback, and emerging community needs.
8. Data Collection, Evaluation, and Reporting
• Track participation, demographics, program outcomes, and utilization metrics.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and community impact.
• Submit regular reports to the City documenting progress, challenges, and recommendations.
DELIVERABLES
1. Annual Work Plan and Programming Calendar
A comprehensive outline of planned activities and services for the year, serving as the roadmap for daily
operations and ensuring alignment with the City’s goals. This plan should show realistic partnerships with
organizations that will contribute to the delivery of services detailed in this RFP.
RFP-DV-2026-011-5
This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.
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