City lays out criteria for sports-complex proposals

The city of Cape Girardeau has laid out plans for choosing a partner to develop a sports complex with the rollout of its official request for proposals.

The request outlines a need for a public-private partnership between the city and one or more developers, along with building and property specifications for the sports complex project.

The city council approved seeking the proposals at a November meeting after pitches were heard for several future projects that could be funded with a 1 percent restaurant tax.

The city touts the indoor sports complex project -- expected to include an at least 100,000-square-foot facility with collegiate-sized courts, a turf field and other amenities -- as "a sporting venue to attract events and result in positive economic impact to the region."

Julia Thompson, the city's parks and recreation director, is helping oversee proposal submissions. Thompson said the city's strategy of seeking partners is expected to bring about the best facility and site plan, and that various entities may be interested in developing the project.

"It really can run the gamut," Thompson said of the types of developers that may submit proposals, "from real estate organizations, private investors, existing landowners or a new collaboration between business partners that see the opportunity to drive business to surrounding areas. There is a lot of opportunity that exists with the development of this facility."

The city doesn't own property that could house a facility such as a sports complex apart from land at the Greater Cape Girardeau Business Park, which already has been reserved for other development. Acquiring the right property or facility for an indoor sports complex also would be too expensive for the city to do on its own, Thompson said.

The city is open to several scenarios for the sports complex, Thompson said. They include renovating existing spaces or new construction.

The request asks, among other things, that land included in the proposals be at least seven to 10 acres, have access to major roadways and readily support economic growth in surrounding areas. A plan for acquiring land, if not already owned by the entity that proposes its use, also must be included.

Other proposal specifications are narratives that describe "opportunities/constraints" for the project and site.

The city will accept proposals until the end of the business day Feb. 26, then will begin choosing one. A selection committee will be appointed to evaluate proposals. A maximum of five applicants then will present detailed proposals and will be ranked in a weighted criteria, according to the city's plan.

The highest-ranking applicant or applicants will be asked to negotiate on the project with the city.

The city has set a schedule for the proposals: Project applicants are expected to be "short listed" and notified by March 6. Interviews will be conducted from March 9 to 16. A recommendation by the selection committee will be made March 27. The recommendation to the city council will be made in April or May.

The city is prohibiting direct contact about the request for proposals between applicants and the city's staff, officials and committee members to ensure fairness in the process.

The city's complete request and additional details can be viewed at cityofcapegirardeau.org.

eragan@semissourian.com

388-3632

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, MO