Request for Proposals

The Verona Community Development Authority (CDA) requested redevelopment proposals from qualified development firms and consultant teams to redevelop 420 Church Avenue, which is currently being used by the Verona Area School District as schools. The City received six (6) proposals, which were due on April 27, 2020. The proposals are listed below with links to review the proposal and the ability to click on the image for a larger view. 

On May 18, 2020, the CDA held a meeting via Zoom (packet) to interview four (4) out of the six (6) applicants, which was recorded and is available to be viewed via YouTube. In addition to links for the RFP, a copy of the slides for each presentation can be found by the name of the development company.  

On June 2, 2020, the CDA held a meeting via Zoom (packet) at 6 p.m. to continue their discussions from the May 18^th meeting, which was recorded and is available to be viewed via YouTube. The CDA has recommended McKenzie Apartment Company and Steve Brown Apartments development proposals to the Common Council for their review at the Zoom June 8^th Common Council meeting. In addition to the links for the RPF, copies of additional information presented at the June 2^nd meeting can be found by the name of the development company.      

On June 8, 2020, the Common Council held a meeting via Zoom (packet) at 7 p.m. to begin their discussions regarding 420 Church Avenue. A YouTube recording of the meeting is available and this particular topic begins discussions at 1:56:30 into the recording. After listening to the two developers and deliberations, the Common Council made a motion to table the discussions until the June 22 Common Council meeting and asked Staff to prepare a financial analysis of the two proposals. 

On June 22, 2020, the Common Council authorized Staff to work with the Steve Brown Apartments on the redevelopment of the Sugar Creek and New Century School sites.

The Common Council held a meeting via Zoom (packet) at 7 p.m. A representative from each development team spoke during the public comment period, which can be viewed via YouTube. John McKenzie, representing McKenzie Apartment Company, spoke at time stamp 14 minutes, Rick An, Stone House Development, spoke at time stamp 25 minutes, and Brian Munson, representing Steve Brown Apartments, spoke at time stamp 29 minutes. The Common Council began their discussions regarding the developers at time stamp 1:30:00 into the recording. 

Steve Brown Apartments RFP document (file size 9.09 MB), May 18^th slides, June 2^nd slides, June 8^th slides, and    June 22^nd handout

McKenzie Apartment Company RFP document (file size 48.3 MB), May 18^th slides with narrative, June 2^nd slides, and June 8^th slides, and June 22^nd handout

Northpointe Avante RFP document (file size 33.6 MB), May 18^th slides, and June 2^nd slides

Gorman and Company  RFP document (file size 9.24 MB), May 18^th slides, June 2^nd slidesT. Wall Enterprises (file size 4.36 MB)

Green Street (file size 67.5 MB)

Schedule

Proposals will be reviewed by an evaluation committee comprised of the CDA and City Staff. The CDA held a public interview with selected developers on May 18 that can be viewed via YouTube. On June 2, 2020, the CDA held a meeting where the CDA recommended two developers to the Common Council. This meeting can be viewed via YouTube. The CDA’s recommendation was presented to the Common Council at their meeting on June 8, 2020 ( packet). The Common Council discussed the proposals on June 22, 2020 and selected Steve Brown Apartments to work with Staff. 

Application

The CDA requested redevelopment proposals from qualified development firms and consultant team. The RFP contained the proposal requirements, selection criteria, deadlines, and selection process.

• Request for Proposal
• Appendix A – Wisconsin Historical Society nomination
• Appendix B – Sustainability Resolution

Plans

Scanned plans that were submitted to the Building Inspectors for their review are listed below. Public Works Department supplied profiles and plans regarding sanitary, stormwater, water, utilities, and other improvements that were completed near this site. 

Sugar Creek:

• Sugar Creek Elementary School Gym Addition - 2000 (large scanned file)
• Sugar Creek Elementary School Renovations - 1995 (large scanned file)

New Century:

• New Century Maintenance and Remodeling - 2000 (large scanned files)
• Dates for plans - 1917
• Front, partial - 1917
• Upper Level Outline - 1917
• Exterior - East and South Sides - 1917
• Exterior - North Side (Front) - 1917
• Interior - Upper Floor - 1917
• Interior - Lower Floor - 1917

Infrastructure:

• Sanitary Sewer
• Stormwater
• Water
• Legion Street east watermain replacement
• Legion Street utilities
• West Verona Avenue
• Church Avenue
• School Service Road

Tour of the Site

A tour of the Sugar Creek Elementary School and New Century School was held on February 21, 2020 at 10 a.m. The tour was given by the Director of Building and Grounds for the Verona Area School District. Thirty people in attendance were able to walk around the schools looking into classrooms and viewing the existing building mechanicals. This was the only tour available for the site due to school being in session.

Additional information

Community Design Solutions (CDS) was tasked with developing concepts for the property that was presented to the public in August of 2019. CDS began with five (5) concepts. These were modified based on comments from staff, public, CDA, Plan Commission, and Common Council to have three (3) final concepts. All of the designs proposed by CDS can be viewed online.   

Verona Area School District (VASD) hired consultants to prepare a facilities study. A presentation was given in May of 2015 that included information regarding Sugar Creek Elementary School and New Century Charter School. This presentation contains information regarding site layout, dates of construction, and lifespan of building materials and mechanicals.

The Downtown Mobility and Development Plan was adopted in March of 2014. The Plan shows the property as mixed residential and downtown mixed use development. Some of the themes from this Plan were incorporated into the CDS concept plans.