Image Credit: New York City Department of Transportation
On July 19, 2022, the NYC Department of Transportation issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking concessionaires “for the development, operation, and maintenance of an outdoor market” at Fordham Plaza. The plaza is located at the intersection of Fordham Road, Third Avenue and East 189th Street in the Bronx.
Fordham Plaza is a major cultural, economic, transportation hub in the Bronx, located near the Fordham and Belmont neighborhoods. The recently reconstructed plaza is now over 75,000 square feet, with bus facilities and enhanced traffic circulation on the surrounding streets. Plaza amenities include pedestrian lighting, plantings, and seating.
More specifically, DOT is seeking an experienced individual or entity that is qualified to operate “food, beverage and/or merchandise services”. The new Concession should be of “premium quality” in both the products available for sale and its design, and will “enhance the ambience of the Plaza and community while providing a healthy culinary experience for the public”.
The successful proposer will operate a Licensed Premises of approximately 24,238 square feet. There is also an optional Kiosk License Premises available of approximately 2,080 square feet.
Interested concessionaires can request a hard copy of the RFP to be mailed to them by calling (212) 839-6550. The RFP is also available for download online through the City Record. Once on the website, concessionaires can simply enter this Solicitation Number for the Outdoor Market to view the RFP: 84122BXAD547.
Proposals must be hand-delivered to DOT at 55 Water Street in Lower Manhattan. DOT will be collecting proposal at the Bid Window, located on the ground floor rear next to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Concessionaires can turn in their proposals Monday-Friday from 9:00AM – 3:00PM, and must include a proposal deposit in the form of a certified check or money order.
All proposals must be submitted no later than Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at 2:00 PM. The successful proposer for the outdoor market concession will enter into an initial two-year agreement. DOT will also be offering two two-year renewal options and one three-year renewal option, for a total potential term of nine years.
DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez shared, “The reconstructed Fordham Plaza has helped create a vibrant, welcoming community space for tens of thousands of Bronxites. We’re excited to find a concessionaire to complement this great work and serve high-quality products to the students, shoppers and commuters who enjoy this major hub every day.”
By: Cassidy Strong (Cassidy is a CityLaw intern and a New York Law School student, Class of 2024.)
NYC DOT Announces Search for Fordham Plaza Market Concessionaire, July 22, 2022.
“Premium Quality”? You mean whoever promises to donate to Ydanis! or hire his patronage buds? A farmer’s market would suit the community well depending upon how one defines community.