Request for Expressions of Interest: Fennel Property Redevelopment Opportunity

City of Moberly, Missouri

The City of Moberly is issuing this Request for Expressions of Interest to identify qualified parties interested in productive reuse or redevelopment of the Fennel property. The City is seeking concepts that advance private investment, economic development, job creation, future tax revenues, and long-term community benefit, while preserving the City’s discretion to determine whether and how to proceed with any proposed transaction.

Dating to 1872, the Fennel Complex reflects Moberly’s industrial history. The property originally housed the Fennel Carriage & Wagon Works and J.T. Cross Lumber and served as an important center of local commerce.

The City acquired the property in 2019 and completed extensive structural and infrastructure improvements, including new roof decks and membranes, masonry repair and tuckpointing, windows, insulation, sanitary sewer and water service, fire suppression systems, electrical service, lighting, HVAC, doors, and entryways.

The property has become an active destination in the downtown Depot District. Its fenced green space and covered concrete apron support farmers markets, live music, car cruises, food trucks, community events, and seasonal activities.

With a ground floor footprint of approximately 13,500 square feet and a substantial second-story space of approximately 7,000 square feet, the property offers flexible redevelopment potential supported by significant public investment and an established community presence.

Additional property information is provided in Appendix 1.

Potential reuse concepts include commercial, retail, dining, hospitality, entertainment, recreation, mixed-use development, arts and cultural facilities, community and event spaces, and tourism attractions. These examples are illustrative, and the City welcomes other concepts that advance its redevelopment objectives.

The City will consider proposals to acquire either the entire Fennel Complex, generally consisting of one-half of a city block at West Coates and North Clark Streets, or only the Fennel Building.

The City intends to select one Preferred Respondent based on the proposal’s value, feasibility, and overall community benefit, without preference for either acquisition option.

If only the Fennel Building is acquired, the City would anticipate retaining ownership and maintenance responsibility for the Pro Auto Building and Fennel Event Center for the foreseeable future.

The City welcomes responses from any qualified individual, business, nonprofit organization, developer, investor, operator, or development team interested in productive reuse of the property. The City would prefer a private-sector partner, but respondents will not be excluded solely based on organizational form.

The City will prioritize proposals that advance economic development, private investment, job creation, future tax revenues, and long-term community benefit. Relevant experience with similar operations, redevelopment projects, or historic building renovation is preferred.

Respondents must also be prepared to demonstrate financial capacity commensurate with the proposed project, as described more fully below.

Each submission should provide sufficient information for the City to understand the respondent’s concept, capacity, and proposed terms. Each respondent must also complete and submit the Proposal Cover Sheet attached as Appendix 2. At a minimum, submissions should include:

Submissions shall be treated as sealed bids and related documents until a definitive agreement is executed or all proposals are rejected, as provided in Section 610.021(12), RSMo.

Click here to download the full Request for Expressions of Interest Document.