THE CITY OF CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF
INTEREST
FOR
FILM STUDIO AND PRODUCTION FACILITIES
at
THE FORMER EASTLAND MALL
ISSUE DATE:
OCTOBER 10, 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
Statement of Purpose.................................................................................................... 1
Background Information................................................................................................ 2
Site Investigation ........................................................................................................... 3
Submittal Contents ........................................................................................................ 4
Submittal Instructions ................................................................................................... 5
Review and Use of Submittals ....................................................................................... 5
Disclosure and Use of Data............................................................................................ 5
CITY OF CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Statement of Purpose
In August 2012, The City of Charlotte (City) acquired ownership of the former Eastland Mall
site, located on the east side of Charlotte at 5471 Central Ave (Site). The City’s ownership
consists of 80.4 acres and 1.2 million square feet of vacant retail space. The City pursued this
acquisition in order to implement broad policy objectives for neighborhood stabilization and
economic development through a master planned mixed-use redevelopment.
The City envisions a final project that provides new economic opportunities for residents of
the City and region. The City wishes the following objectives to be achieved through
redevelopment:
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Implement a catalytic redevelopment that is seamlessly integrated with
surrounding neighborhoods and commercial corridors
Develop a financially viable, phased project using private-sector funding sources
Expand the State and local property, sales and income tax base
Provide new employment opportunities
Provide open space and community amenities
Provide support for new and emerging market-driven economic clusters in the
region
In order to provide support to meet these objectives and to respond to private sector interest,
the City wishes to explore the potential for film and video studios and production facilities at
the Site. Film and video production has been a steadily growing portion of the Charlotte
regional economy. Numerous feature films and television dramas such as The Hunger Games,
Homeland and Banshee, have been filmed locally. A 2009 report on the economic impact of
film and video production in the region estimated more than $271 million in direct economic
impact and the creation of 1,400 full-time equivalent jobs.
This Request for Expressions of Interest (REI) seeks information from experienced developers
of film studio facilities to guide the formation and implementation of a Request for Proposals
(RFP), as well as to identify parties interested in participating in the RFP. Parties that do not
respond will remain eligible to respond to a future RFP however, the substance of the
responses to this REI may determine the nature, scope and specifics of future solicitations for
any or all properties at the Site.
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Respondents are asked to carefully review the REI submittal format on page five of this
notification. Any inquiries regarding this REI should be submitted no later than October 22,
2012 and should be directed to:
City of Charlotte
Neighborhood & Business Services
Economic Development Division
600 E Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Attn: Peter Q. Zeiler, Development and Investment Manager
Tel: (704) 432-2989
PZeiler@Charlottenc.gov
Any inquiries received by the City will documented and the responses will be shared with all
parties invited to participate. The source of inquiries will remain anonymous when responses
are shared with all respondents.
Background Information
This REI targets the Site as identified in the following aerial photograph in Figure 1. The site is
bound by Central Avenue to the southwest, Sharon Amity Road to the west and Albemarle
Road to the south. The northern and eastern boundaries of the site abut residential uses
facing local side streets. The City’s property ownership includes the vacant mall’s in-line
space, four attached anchor buildings and two out parcels. The Charlotte Area Transit System
also owns approximately 1.3 acres of the Site, on which it has constructed a transit center.
The site is well located with a robust street and arterial network that connects the site to two
interstate freeways (I-77 and I-85). The Site is approximately six miles (an 11 minute drive)
from the amenities of uptown Charlotte, including luxury hotels and hospitality facilities. It is
13 miles (a 20 minute drive) from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the sixth busiest
airport in the United States and a major international hub for US Airways.
Site Investigation
The City assumes no responsibility for any interpretations made by respondents on the basis
of information provided in this document or through other sources. Respondents
acknowledge they have acquainted themselves with the available information and have
investigated conditions affecting the proposed project. Except as specifically identified, the
City makes no representations about the environmental conditions or the presence or
absence of contaminated materials at any of the properties considered for inclusion in this
solicitation. Respondents may wish to learn more about the context of the site by accessing
http://vc.charmeck.org and entering the address of 5471 Central Avenue.
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Figure 1 _ City of Charlotte ownership of Site
City ownership is outlined in yellow; Charlotte Area Transit System ownership is outlined in red.
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Submittal Contents
Submittals should include the following:
1. Expertise pertaining to film and television studios and production facilities (Film
Facilities) exhibited through prior work that approximates the scope, scale and content
of the Site.
2. Capacity of the potential project staff as exhibited through professional resumes and
summaries of relevant project experience.
3. Information on the firm’s history and capabilities, including the location of the
Principal’s headquarters and the office where work for the Site would be performed.
4. Description (including any graphics Respondents wish to provide) of a recommended
film and television studio and production facility conceptual development program,
including:
a. Professional opinion of the potential for Film Facilities in Charlotte;
b. Professional opinion of the suitability of the Site for Film Facilities;
c. Square footage and acreage of Site to be developed for Film Facilities;
d. Potential development costs for such Film Facilities;
e. Ability of Film Facilities to be integrated into a larger, mixed-use
redevelopment of the Site;
f. Experience or willingness to partner with others;
g. Conceptual financial structure and return to the City, including whether the Site
would be purchased or ground leased;
h. Reliance on state incentives;
i. Potential financing sources; and
j. Estimated development timetable.
5. Identification of how Film Facilities will integrate the conceptual vision of the Site.
6. Recommendations to enhance the viability of subsequent RFPs and development on
City property in the project area.
7. Experience with Minority Business Enterprise Goals
Respondents are advised that the City shall not be liable at any time for any costs associated
with or related to the project(s) which are incurred by any Respondent during any phase of
this REI or its subsequent amendment or cancellation.
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Submittal Instructions
This REI is not conducted under the provisions of NC Procurement Law. Please note that
submittals are sought only from experienced developers of film and television studio and
production facilities. Professional service providers or others should not respond to this RFEI.
Respondents are asked to limit their submissions to no more than twenty (20) pages,
excluding illustrative materials explaining developer ability and experience to develop the
proposed concept, and any site plans and graphic depictions of the proposal. All Proprietary
Information should be identified as such by the Respondent. The City reserves the right to
cancel or amend this REI.
Submittals may be emailed, mailed or delivered in person no later than 4:00 PM, EST, on
November 2, 2012 to:
City of Charlotte
Neighborhood & Business Services
Economic Development Division
600 E Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Attn: Peter Q. Zeiler, Development and Investment Manager
Tel: (704) 432-2989
PZeiler@Charlottenc.gov
Review and Use of Submittals
Submittals will be reviewed by the City. The City reserves the right to contact Respondents
with requests for clarification or additional information, or to arrange other follow up
activities it deems appropriate.
Once it has completed its review of submittals, the City will be available to debrief
Respondents who have submitted conceptual development programs in response to this REI.
Public Records
The City is a subdivision of the State of North Carolina and is, therefore, subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Act (the “Act”) at N.C. Gen. Stat. 132-1 et seq. As a result, any
information provided to the City as part of this REI is a public record under North Carolina
law and may be released and disclosed by the City pursuant to the Act. In the event the City
receives a request for disclosure of proprietary information which Respondent has
specifically marked “Confidential” or “Trade Secret,” the City will give the Respondent
written notice of such request and Respondent shall provide a reasonable basis for
contending that the disclosure of such confidential information is not required by the Act if
Respondent objects to the release of the information.
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Use of Data
Information gathered in REI submittals may be used in part to determine elements of a formal
RFP for the site.
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