Forest Street Homes-River View Housing Development Opportunity

CITY OF PORT HURON, MICHIGAN | REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS | Forest Street Homes
CITY OF PORT HURON, MICHIGAN
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Forest Street Homes - River View Housing Development Opportunity
Issued September 9, 2026
Submission Deadline October 7, 2026, by 3 p.m.
Property Address 2400 Forest Street (Vacant Lot), Port Huron, MI 48060
Site Area 1.03 acres (approx. 44,867 sq ft)
Current Zoning R-1 Single Family / Duplex Residential
Ownership City of Port Huron
Contact David Haynes, Director of Planning & Community Development
Email / Phone haynesd@porthuron.org | 810-984-9735
1. Introduction
The City of Port Huron invites qualified developers to submit sealed proposals for the purchase
and residential redevelopment of a premier 1.03-acre river view property in Port Huron,
Michigan (the "Property"). The City seeks a high-quality housing development that adds lasting
value to the community, complements existing neighborhood assets, and capitalizes on the
site's exceptional location near the St. Clair River.
Housing is the City's top priority. The City is specifically seeking development that serves a
housing need and adds value to the community. If a proposal is selected, the purchase price for
the Property is negotiable; a price reduction may be considered for a project that demonstrates
exceptional quality and alignment with the City's community development goals.
Port Huron is a full-service community of approximately 28,800 residents, situated at the
southwestern tip of Lake Huron and the headwaters of the St. Clair River. The City's 7-mile
waterfront, vibrant historic downtown, excellent schools, and direct access to I-94 and I-69 make
it a purposeful destination for residents and businesses alike. This site represents a rare
opportunity to deliver very desirable, river-view housing in one of Michigan's most distinctive
small cities.
2. Site Overview
The Property consists of a vacant 1.03-acre lot located at the intersection of Forest Street and
Elmwood Street in Port Huron. Key site characteristics include:
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CITY OF PORT HURON, MICHIGAN | REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS | Forest Street Homes
Parcel ID #74-06-112-0006-100
Address 2400 Forest Street (Vacant Lot), Port Huron, MI 48060
Size 1.03 acres / approx. 44,867 sq ft
Zoning R-1 Single Family - Duplex Residential (Could be rezoned to higher
density if approved by City Council)
River Views Views of the St. Clair River
Nearby Amenities Walking distance to River Boardwalk, Lighthouse Beach, Gratiot Park &
quick bike ride to downtown Port Huron.
Utilities All major utilities (water, sewer, gas, electric) available at site boundaries
Topography Gently sloped; see attached boundary & topographic survey (Exhibit A).
This could allow multiple levels of river views for the development.
A boundary and topographic survey is attached as Exhibit A. Respondents are encouraged to
conduct their own due diligence prior to submitting a proposal as the City makes no
representations or warranties concerning the Property. Applicants are required to complete all
due diligence necessary to submit proposals.
3. Development Objectives
The City seeks proposals that advance the following goals:
* Increase housing by offering a density level in order to make the best use of the
available land.
* Activate the riverfront boardwalk with a walkable, livable design that takes advantage of
the premium views.
* Deliver thoughtful architecture that enhances Port Huron's waterfront character
* Support a vibrant neighborhood core and attract new residents to the city
4. Preferred Development Features
The City welcomes creative, market-driven proposals and encourages developers to propose
designs that best serve the site. Ideal submissions may incorporate one or more of the
following:
* Market-rate housing, either attached or detached.
* Could be medium-density design: 3-6 stories with scale appropriate to the river view
context.
* Designs that complement and add value to the surrounding properties.
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CITY OF PORT HURON, MICHIGAN | REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS | Forest Street Homes
5. Submission Requirements
Each proposal must include the following components, organized in the order listed below.
A. Development Concept
* Narrative description of the proposed development vision and how it meets the City's
objectives
* Number and type of proposed housing units
* Estimated total and per-unit square footage; building height and massing
* Site plan, renderings, or conceptual architectural plans
* Description of public space, riverfront access, and landscape design features
* Proposed mix of affordable, workforce, and market-rate units, if applicable
* Description of similar projects completed by the applicant
B. Development Team
* Identification of the lead developer, co-developers, architects, and key consultants
* Description of relevant project experience, with examples of prior projects of similar
scope, function, or design
* Biographies or resumes of key personnel, including lead developer and project architect
* Evidence of organizational capacity and team structure to deliver the proposed project
C. Financial Proposal
* Proposed purchase price for the Property
* Total project development budget with key assumptions
* Sources and uses of funds, including equity, debt, and any anticipated public financing
* Evidence of financial capacity to undertake the project (bank letter, audited financials, or
equivalent)
D. Implementation Strategy
* Project timeline from execution of pre-development agreement through occupancy
* Community engagement plan and approach to neighborhood outreach
* Risk identification and mitigation strategy
* Project delivery approach and contingency planning
6. Selection Criteria & Process
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CITY OF PORT HURON, MICHIGAN | REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS | Forest Street Homes
All complete, timely proposals will be reviewed and evaluated by City staff. The City reserves
the right to conduct interviews, request clarifying or additional information, and select any
proposal or no proposal.
Evaluation Criterion Weight Max Points
Quality of Housing Design & Architectural Fit 25% 25
Development Team Experience & Capacity 20% 20
Financial Feasibility & Funding Plan 20% 20
Community Benefits & Affordability 15% 15
Public Access & Riverfront Integration 10% 10
Sustainability & Resilient Design 10% 10
Total 100% 100
Points based upon the above criteria will be awarded at the sole discretion of the City. The City
is not obligated to select a proposal based upon the number of points received, rather, the City
reserves the right to select any proposal or no proposal in its sole discretion.
If the City Council elects to proceed with a selected team, the City intends to enter into a pre-
development agreement that provides the developer with property control for a reasonable
period to complete due diligence on terms and conditions acceptable to the City. If the project
proceeds, a final development agreement will be executed, on terms acceptable to the City, and
will include benchmark timelines, minimum development requirements, a reversion clause
pursuant to which the Property will revert back to the City, and other mutually agreed terms.
Submission of a proposal does not create a legally binding agreement, guarantee selection, or
convey any interest in the Property.
7. Questions
All questions must be submitted in writing no later than 4:30 p.m. on October 2, 2026, to:
Contact: David Haynes, Director of Planning & Community Development
Address: City of Port Huron, 100 McMorran Blvd, Port Huron, MI 48060
Email: haynesd@porthuron.org
Phone: 810-984-9735
Official responses to all questions, along with any addenda, will be posted at www.porthuron.org
and on BidNet (www.bidnetdirect.com). Applicants are encouraged to check both sites for
updates and addenda. Only information posted on the City's official RFP page or BidNet
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CITY OF PORT HURON, MICHIGAN | REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS | Forest Street Homes
posting shall be considered authoritative. Information provided by phone, email or other means
shall not be considered authoritative or binding. Respondents are responsible for monitoring
the RFP page and BidNet posting and incorporating all addenda into their submissions.
8. Submission Instructions
Sealed proposals must be received no later than 3 p.m. on October 7, 2026. Submit to:
City Clerk's Office
City of Port Huron
Re: Housing RFP - Forest Street Site
100 McMorran Blvd, Port Huron, MI 48060
* Submit three (3) printed copies and one (1) digital PDF on USB drive or via email
* Label all packages clearly: "Housing RFP - Forest Street Site"
* Proposals shall remain valid and open for acceptance by the City for one hundred eighty
(180) days from the submission deadline
* Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted
* Proposals will be opened by City staff following the submission deadline
9. Rights & Disclaimers
The City of Port Huron reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to:
* Accept or reject any or all proposals
* Negotiate simultaneously or sequentially with one or more respondents
* Cancel, modify, or reissue this RFP at any time and for any reason
* Request additional information or clarification from any respondent
* Award the project to a respondent other than the highest bidder for the Property
* Award the project to a respondent whose application does not receive the most points
on the evaluation scale.
* Waive informalities or minor irregularities in any proposal
* Consider alternative or unsolicited proposals for the Property
The City assumes no obligation for costs incurred by any respondent in preparing or submitting
a proposal. Submission does not guarantee selection or convey any property rights. All
proposals become public records upon submission.
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CITY OF PORT HURON, MICHIGAN | REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS | Forest Street Homes
EXHIBIT A
Boundary & Topographic Survey
Source: BMJ Civil Engineers & Land Surveyors, Port Huron MI | Draft Survey dated 12/06/12
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CITY OF PORT HURON, MICHIGAN | REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS | Forest Street Homes
STREET LEVEL VIEW
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