Project Information

Bid Title

RFP-DV-2026-011 - 11 Garden St Community Space Operator

Issuing Agency

City of New Rochelle

Location

New York

Published Date

May 12, 2026

Closing Date

May 20, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

RFP-DV-2026-011

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Bid Number:	RFP-DV-2026-011
Bid Title:	RFP-DV-2026-011 - 11 Garden St Community Space Operator
Category:	*Current Bids & RFPs
Status:	Open

Description: ** Q & A as well as Addendum 1 have been posted. ** ** Answers will be posted by 4:30 pm on April 30th ** The City of New Rochelle is seeking qualified teams—especially nonprofits—to operate and program the Community Incubator Space at 11 Garden Street as an inclusive, high-impact community hub. The selected operator will manage daily operations and deliver diverse programming that supports residents of all ages, fosters entrepreneurship and cultural engagement, and creates a welcoming space for community-driven ideas and activities. PRE-PROPOSAL MEETINGS An on-site pre-proposal meeting will be held on 9:30 am April 23, 2026, at 11 Garden Street in New Rochelle, NY. All questions must be submitted in writing via e-mail to Ivonne Droese-Solomon, Purchasing Specialist, at For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address., no later than noon on April 27, 2026.  The City will post the answers to the questions received on its website no later than 4:30 p.m. on April 29, 2026. Publication Date/Time: 4/15/2026 4:30 PM Closing Date/Time: 5/20/2026 3:00 PM Related Documents: RFP-DV-2026-011 - 11 Garden St Community Space Operator Spec DV-2026-011 Addendum 1 RFP-DV-2026-011 Q and A

Attachment Preview

Department of Finance

515 North Avenue

New Rochelle, NY 10801

(914) 654-2072

Adam F. Ross

Deputy Commissioner

Ivonne Droese-Solomon

Purchasing Specialist

City of New Rochelle

New York

Specification No.

RFP-DV-2026-011

Request for Proposal:

11 Garden Street Community Space

Operator

1) INTENT/BACKGROUND/OVERVIEW

INTENT

The City of New Rochelle is seeking proposals from qualified teams or partnerships of organizations—

particularly, but not limited to, non-profits—to jointly operate, manage, program, and activate the

Community Incubator Space at 11 Garden Street as a vibrant, inclusive, and highly utilized community asset.

The selected operator team will be responsible for managing day-to-day operations and delivering a robust

programming model that serves residents across age groups—from youth to seniors—while supporting

entrepreneurship, cultural engagement, education, and community well-being. Through intentional

activation and inclusive programming, the Community Incubator Space will serve as a platform for testing

ideas, building relationships, and bringing community-driven solutions to life.

Programming may include, but is not limited to, hands-on workshops, skill-building classes, youth

enrichment and mentorship programs, cultural events and performances, small business and

entrepreneurship support, health and wellness activities, pop-up markets, and community-led initiatives.

The City encourages proposers to design programming that blends education, creativity, and practical

application, while creating multiple entry points for participation and fostering a sense of belonging and

ownership among residents.

Proposals that demonstrate creativity, cultural competency, and a clear strategy for sustained community

engagement through a strong roster/team of organizations will be viewed favorably.

The selected operator will be onboarded after the space is physically ready to be fully operational and

certified for occupancy.

BACKGROUND

The Community Incubator Space at 11 Garden Street represents a physical manifestation of the City of New

Rochelle’s broader economic development, cultural, and community-building ecosystem. Rather than

operating as a standalone facility, the space is intentionally designed to be a reflection of the City’s ongoing

investments, programs, and partnerships that support small businesses, workforce development, youth and

senior engagement, arts and culture, and neighborhood vitality.

This initiative builds upon and complements the City’s existing efforts to provide residents with new

RFP-DV-2026-011-1

community spaces, reduce barriers to opportunity, and create inclusive pathways for residents to participate

in and benefit from New Rochelle’s continued growth. The Community Incubator Space is envisioned as a

connective platform—linking residents to resources, entrepreneurs to markets, artists to audiences, and

community organizations to shared infrastructure—while reinforcing the City’s long-term vision for a

resilient, equitable, and vibrant community.

OVERVIEW

The City of New Rochelle is seeking proposals from qualified teams or partnerships of organizations—

particularly, but not limited to, non-profits—to jointly operate and program the Community Incubator Space

at 11 Garden Street, New Rochelle, NY, delivering the full range of identified services in alignment with prior

community engagement and assessed needs.

The facility comprises approximately 8,016 square feet across two floors, 3,431 square feet on the first floor

and 4,585 square feet on the second. The space is currently in a core and shell stage, but the designed flexible

layout is intended to accommodate workshops, classes, small performances, collaborative workspaces, pop-

up events, and community gatherings, and includes a commercial kitchen.

The space is envisioned as a dynamic gathering place where residents from across the city can come together

to learn, create, collaborate, and connect. Community programming is expected to be intentional,

accessible, and reflective of New Rochelle’s diversity, offering opportunities for residents of all ages—youth,

families, working adults, seniors, entrepreneurs, and creatives—to engage in meaningful activities that

support personal growth, economic opportunity, and community well-being. These are all elements

identified during the community engagement efforts around this asset in the past years.

RFP-DV-2026-011-2

2) PROPOSAL DUE DATE

Sealed proposals will be accepted up until 3:00 p.m. on May 6, 2026. Envelopes can be hand delivered

or mailed to the Purchasing Office, City of New Rochelle City Hall, 515 North Avenue, New Rochelle,

NY 10801, to the attention of Ivonne Droese-Solomon. Please note RFP-DV-2026-011 on your outside

mail package.

3) PRE-PROPOSAL MEETINGS

An on-site pre-proposal meeting will be held on 9:30 am April 23, 2026, at 11 Garden Street in New

Rochelle, NY.

Attendance is not mandatory but is highly encouraged.

The City reserves the right to amend the RFP based on questions and issues raised at any time

before the RFP submission deadline.

4) PRE-PROPOSAL QUESTIONS

All questions must be submitted in writing via e-mail to Ivonne Droese-Solomon, Purchasing

Specialist, at idroese@newrochelleny.gov, no later than noon on April 27, 2026. The City will post the

answers to the questions received on its website no later than 4:30 p.m. on April 29, 2026.

The City reserves the right to amend the RFP based on questions and issues raised at any time before the

RFP submission deadline.

RFP-DV-2026-011-3

5) ADDENDUMS

A Respondent, before submitting its Response, shall check the City’s website to see if any Addendum

or Addenda has/have been issued for the RFP and, if so, the Respondent must establish in writing that

they have received any and all Addendum or Addenda issued for the RFP. See attached Exhibit D.

6) CONE OF SILENCE

Cone of Silence, means a prohibition on any communication regarding a particular Request for

Proposal (“RFP”), Request for Qualification (“RFQ”) or Request for Bid ("RFB").

Pursuant to State Finance Law §139-j and §139-k, this solicitation includes and imposes certain

restrictions on communications between the City and a Bidder during the procurement process. A

Bidder is restricted from contacting, other than designated staff, from the earliest notice of intent to

solicit offers through final award and approval of the Procurement Contract by the Designated

Contracting Officer ("Restricted Period") unless it is a contact that is included among certain statutory

exceptions set forth in State Finance Law §139-j(3)(a). City employees are required to obtain certain

information when contacted during the Restricted Period. The designated staff contact is the Deputy

Finance Commissioner or his/her representative, telephone (914) 654-2072. Bidders responding to

this RFP must familiarize themselves with these State Finance Law requirements and will be

expected to affirm that they understand and agree to comply in their Proposal.

7) SCOPE OF WORK

The selected operator team shall be responsible for the comprehensive management, activation, and

programming of the Community Incubator Space at 11 Garden Street. The Scope of Work is intended to ensure

the space operates as a high-impact, inclusive community hub and as an extension of the City of New Rochelle’s

broader economic development ecosystem.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Facility Operations and Management

• Manage day-to-day operations of the Community Incubator Space, including scheduling, space

coordination, and general oversight.

• Ensure the space is maintained as a welcoming, accessible, and professional environment for all

users.

• Coordinate usage across multiple program types, partners, and audiences to maximize daily and

weekly utilization of the space.

• Develop and enforce policies related to space use, safety, access, and conduct.

• The operator is responsible for daily cleaning and trash disposal of the space.

2. Community Programming and Activation

• Design and deliver a diverse, year-round programming calendar that reflects community needs

and City priorities.

• Offer programming that supports:

o Entrepreneurship and small business development

o Youth development, mentorship, and educational enrichment

o Arts, culture, and creative expression

o Health, wellness, and community support

• Balance recurring programs with flexible, pop-up, and pilot initiatives that allow for

experimentation and community-led ideas.

RFP-DV-2026-011-4

• Activate the space during evenings and weekends, as appropriate, to ensure broad community

access.

3. Entrepreneurship and Business Incubation

• Provide structured opportunities for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to access resources,

mentorship, and workspace.

• Support food-based entrepreneurs through programming and access related to the commercial

kitchen.

• Facilitate pop-up retail, showcases, or demonstrations that allow entrepreneurs to test concepts

and build customer relationships.

• Coordinate with City-led business support initiatives to create clear pathways for business growth.

4. Youth, Workforce, and Skill Development

• Deliver or host programs that support academic achievement, leadership development, career

exploration, and workforce readiness.

• Partner with schools, nonprofits, and workforce organizations to expand youth access to

enrichment opportunities.

• Ensure programming is developmentally appropriate and inclusive across age groups.

5. Partnerships and Ecosystem Integration

• Establish and maintain partnerships with local nonprofits, educators, artists, entrepreneurs,

service providers, and institutions.

• Align programming with the City’s broader economic development, cultural, and community

initiatives.

• Serve as a connector between residents and City resources, programs, and opportunities.

6. Senior Programming and Engagement

• Develop and deliver programming for senior residents that promotes social connection, lifelong

learning, and health and wellness, including educational, cultural, and digital literacy activities.

• Partner with senior-serving organizations and service providers to expand offerings, increase

accessibility, and ensure programming reflects the needs and interests of older adults.

• Create inclusive opportunities for seniors to participate as mentors, facilitators, or contributors

to broader community programming, including intergenerational activities.

7. Community Engagement and Responsiveness

• Actively solicit community input to inform programming priorities and space utilization.

• Provide opportunities for residents to lead, host, or co-create programming.

• Adapt programming in response to participation data, feedback, and emerging community needs.

8. Data Collection, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Track participation, demographics, program outcomes, and utilization metrics.

• Evaluate program effectiveness and community impact.

• Submit regular reports to the City documenting progress, challenges, and recommendations.

DELIVERABLES

1. Annual Work Plan and Programming Calendar

A comprehensive outline of planned activities and services for the year, serving as the roadmap for daily

operations and ensuring alignment with the City’s goals. This plan should show realistic partnerships with

organizations that will contribute to the delivery of services detailed in this RFP.

RFP-DV-2026-011-5

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