Request for Proposals for Development of 710 Hamilton St. Redwood City, CA

The County of San Mateo (“County”) through its Department of Housing (“DOH”) is seeking qualified and experienced developer teams to submit a description of their qualifications together with a conceptual proposal to develop and operate a mix of low-, moderate- and middle-income housing with a preference for employees of public agencies within the County of San Mateo, including County employees, on a County-owned Property of approximately 20,500 square feet in size and located at 710 Hamilton St, Redwood City, CA 94063 (Assessor’s Parcel Number 052 364 110) (“Property”). The parcel is currently improved with a County-operated law library and is intended to be redeveloped for the provision of affordable housing with the foregoing local public employee preference. The Property is within a civic and commercial area in Redwood City (“City”) and located on a corner lot.

This Request for Proposals (“RFP”) seeks submissions from all interested and qualified proposers (“Proposers”). The County seeks by way of this RFP to select a development team that has the qualifications to implement their proposal in a manner that maximizes the quality of development while also maximizing value to the County, and, by extension, the employees of the County. Proposers must be able to show that they and any proposed subcontractors can perform in a highly professional and effective manner. Such evidence includes, but is not limited to, Proposer’s demonstrated competency and experience in delivering affordable, deed-restricted development projects of a similar scope and type and capacity of the Proposer's personnel and financial resources.

The County expects to negotiate and sign a long-term ground lease with the selected Developer/Owner to transfer control of the Property at the time the Developer/Owner achieves close of construction financing for a County-approved affordable housing project on the Property (the “Project”). Under the lease, the County will retain ownership of the land, and, unless specifically excepted, the selected Developer/Owner will own and maintain the improvements and manage the Project.

To achieve the County’s goals, expedite the development process, and secure a return on County investment, the County is prepared to contribute up to 80% of the total development costs to the project financing. The County expects all County financing to be repaid on a proposed time horizon with a return to the County, though alternate terms and structures for the County contribution will be considered assuming it meets other goals and objectives of this RFP.

The County intends that the Project will further the County’s public objective of facilitating the development of affordable housing with a preference for public employees, and that applicable County rights and privileges, including intergovernmental immunities, may apply to the extent permitted by law. Without waiving any such rights or privileges, the County also intends that the selected Proposer will propose a Project that is eligible for ministerial approval under State housing laws, and that will utilize applicable Redwood City entitlement procedures.

Note: Subject to the approval of the County Board of Supervisors, at the time the County and the selected Developer/Owner enter into an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) for development of the Property, DOH intends to make available to the selected Developer/Owner initial predevelopment funding, through a predevelopment loan agreement, in an amount not to exceed $_250,000____ for early predevelopment tasks related to development of an affordable housing project on the Property.

710 Hamilton Street sits in the heart of Downtown Redwood City, one of the Peninsula’s most walkable and amenity-rich neighborhoods. The area offers a true urban, live-work-play environment with easy access to restaurants, cafés, entertainment venues, and everyday services centered around Broadway, Courthouse Square, and the historic Fox Theatre. Residents can walk to the Caltrain station for convenient service to San Francisco and San Jose, while major corridors including El Camino Real, Highway 101, and Woodside Road provide strong regional connectivity. There are ample grocery options available, giving residents access to both specialty and everyday shopping. The neighborhood is served by schools within the Redwood City School District and Sequoia Union High School District, including Sequoia High School, a well-regarded local high school. Nearby parks, library facilities, community events, outdoor concerts, and seasonal festivals contribute to an active community atmosphere, making the area attractive to professionals, commuters, and households seeking a highly walkable downtown setting with strong transit access and abundant neighborhood amenities.