City releases Pier 8 Request for Proposals to five development teams

HAMILTON, ON – The City of Hamilton today announced the release of the Pier 8 Request for Proposals (RFP) to the five teams that were selected in October 2017 to bid on the development of the highly coveted Pier 8 lands.

The RFP and related background documents are available for viewing at www.hamilton.ca/westharbour

About the Request for Proposal

The RFP is the second of a two-stage solicitation process that offers private developers the opportunity to purchase and build on 5.24 hectares of fully serviced, mixed-use lands that are integrated with a public recreational waterfront for which the City has a multi-year, $140 million revitalization plan that is already underway. 

In the RFP submissions, due March 2018, the five proponent teams will be required to provide more detailed development concept plans that must satisfy various “City-Building” objectives, in addition to corresponding financial bids for the purchase of the lands. Proposals will be evaluated in 2-stages:

1. Technical Proposal, consisting of a proposed development plan, project implementation plan, and the approach to urban innovation; and 
2. The Financial Proposal, consisting of a proposed up-front payment, a minimum block-by-block purchase price, as well as a Value-Added share expressed as a percentage of gross revenue for the development.

The process will also include a period for the general public to review and comment on a variety of elements contained within the various technical proposals. The details and framework for this public feedback will be communicated at the close of the RFP period in March 2018.     

The successful proponent of the RFP stage will be granted the exclusive opportunity to negotiate with the City for the purchase of, and ultimately the right to build on, the Pier 8 lands.

The development site has the potential to support approximately 1,500 residential units and 13,000 square metres of commercial and institutional space on nine development blocks. The entire solicitation process is expected to conclude in 2018.

At full build-out, Pier 8 is expected to be one of Hamilton’s most desirable destinations for residents and visitors alike.

“For decades, the community has envisioned a new mixed-use community on the Pier 8 shoreline in Hamilton’s West Harbour. This process has been carefully designed to balance visionary aspirations with financial benefits for Hamilton taxpayers. We’re eagerly anticipating a range of unique and creative “city-building” interpretations for Hamilton’s waterfront from this group of experienced development teams.” -  Chris Phillips, Senior Advisor, West Harbour Re-Development Project, City of Hamilton

Additional resources:

• The five teams are comprised of major Canadian development corporations and architectural firms.
• More information on the West Harbour Redevelopment