Project Information

Bid Title

REI #2026- 446 “The Runway”: Building 101 Redevelopment Project

Issuing Agency

Oneida County, New York

Location

New York

Published Date

Jan 8, 2026

Closing Date

Apr 9, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

REI #2026- 446 “The Runway”: Building 101 Redevelopment Project

REI #2026- 446 “The Runway”: Building 101 Redevelopment Project

REI #2026- 446 “The Runway”: Building 101 Redevelopment Project Invitation

Appendix A Conceptual Program Summary

Appendix B Preliminary Cost Overview

Appendix C 2025 Recreation Trends & Proposed Program

The County of Oneida (County) invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from qualified, visionary, and innovative development and operating teams for the transformation of Building 101 into “The Runway,” a nationally significant, multi-purpose indoor sports, recreation, and tourism destination. This REI is intended to identify capable partners with the expertise, creativity, f inancial capacity, and operational experience to deliver a world-class project that will catalyze economic growth, enhance regional tourism, and redefine the Griffiss Business & Technology Park as a premier Northeast sports hub.

The County seeks partners who understand the rapidly growing sports tourism industry, the importance of multi-use recreational programming, and the long-term community and economic benefits of strategic public?private partnerships. The Runway is expected to serve residents, families, athletes, spectators, and visitors from across the United States and internationally.

Attachment Preview

Oneida County Department of Planning

321 Main Street, 3rd floor

Utica, New York 13501

Request for Expressions of Interest

“The Runway”

Building 101 Redevelopment Project

Oneida County, New York

REI #2026-446

January 2026

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REI)

THE RUNWAY – BUILDING 101 REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT

ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK

1. INTRODUCTION

The County of Oneida (County) invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from qualified, visionary,

and innovative development and operating teams for the transformation of Building 101 into

“The Runway,” a nationally significant, multi-purpose indoor sports, recreation, and tourism

destination. This REI is intended to identify capable partners with the expertise, creativity,

financial capacity, and operational experience to deliver a world-class project that will

catalyze economic growth, enhance regional tourism, and redefine the Griffiss Business &

Technology Park as a premier Northeast sports hub.

The County seeks partners who understand the rapidly growing sports tourism industry, the

importance of multi-use recreational programming, and the long-term community and

economic benefits of strategic public–private partnerships. The Runway is expected to serve

residents, families, athletes, spectators, and visitors from across the United States and

internationally.

2. BACKGROUND

Building 101, formerly a U.S. Air Force hangar, is an extraordinary structure comprising more

than 400,000 square feet of enclosed, column-free high-bay space. Situated in Rome within

the Griffiss Business & Technology Park, the building benefits from robust infrastructure and

nearby highway access.

In Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr.’s 2025 State of the County Address,

Building 101 was identified as a transformative opportunity to support the region’s rapid

growth in sports-based tourism, fueled by the success of facilities such as the NEXUS Center

and Murnane Field. Market trends, including the explosive growth of youth tournaments,

adult recreational programming, pickleball, wellness services, esports, and holistic fitness,

further reinforce the strategic timing of this redevelopment.

Once complete, The Runway will be the largest indoor multi-sport complex in New York State

and the second largest indoor facility of its kind in the nation.

3. PROJECT VISION

The Runway is envisioned as a flexible, multi-dimensional sports and recreation campus

designed to host tournaments, leagues, training camps, community recreation, and

wellness programming. The County intends for The Runway to:

• Serve as a national destination for youth, collegiate, and amateur tournaments.

• Feature multipurpose indoor fields, courts, training zones, fitness and wellness

amenities, and community program space.

• Offer adaptable indoor programming including soccer, softball, lacrosse, flag

football, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, gymnastics, wrestling, cricket, esports,

track and fitness, arts, childcare, senior activities, technology programming, and

more.

• Integrate outdoor tournament-capable fields and a pedestrian-focused campus

experience.

• Encourage (but not require) complementary commercial and hospitality

development such as lodging, dining, food halls, breweries, distilleries, retail, or

entertainment.

• Generate measurable tourism, economic activity, job creation, and year-round

activation of the Griffiss Park.

The County seeks partners who can design, develop, operate, and maintain this facility with

long-term sustainability and national competitiveness.

4. SITE & FACILITY SUMMARY

Building 101 offers approximately 400,000+ square feet, including high-bay areas ideal for

multi-sport fieldhouses, court complexes, and fitness/training facilities. Architectural

concept plans indicate program components such as:

• 200,000+ sq ft of field sports areas.

• 70,000+ sq ft of court and gymnasium spaces (basketball, volleyball, pickleball).

• 50,000+ sq ft of program, classroom, wellness, arts, childcare, and technology

spaces.

• A new main lobby and façade addition.

• Administrative offices and meeting space.

• Elevated walk/jog track.

• Team rooms, locker rooms, sports medicine, and support systems.

The surrounding acreage allows for the development of:

• Up to six multi-purpose outdoor turf or grass athletic fields.

• Expanded parking capacity.

• A pedestrian promenade connecting indoor and outdoor amenities.

• Spaces appropriate for hospitality, commercial, or entertainment development.

5. DEVELOPMENT & OPERATING MODEL

Respondents may propose a wide range of development and operating structures. The

County is open to creative, financially sound, and operationally proven models, including but

not limited to:

• Long-term operating agreements.

• Lease or sublease arrangements.

• Public–private partnership structures.

• Privately financed buildouts with County-supported site preparation.

• Hybrid developer–operator teams.

Amenities beyond core sports programming (i.e. lodging, restaurants, breweries, retail, etc.)

are encouraged but optional. Respondents should also propose their preferred operating

term.

6. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Submissions must include the following:

A. Entity Identification & Qualifications

• Team profiles, organizational structure, key personnel, and relevant experience.

B. Concept Vision & Narrative

• Proposed uses, program components, phasing, amenities, and intended user

groups.

C. Development Approach

• Construction strategy, design intent, cost framework, and schedule.

D. Operating Model

• Proposed operational structure, staffing, hours, pricing concepts, partnerships.

E. Financial Capacity

• Evidence of financial strength, funding strategies, previous comparable projects.

F. Case Studies

• Examples of similar sports, recreation, tourism, or adaptive reuse projects.

G. References

• References from comparable project partners.

H. Additional Materials

• Any renderings, diagrams, or supplemental narratives supporting the submission.

7. EVALUATION CRITERIA & SCORING MATRIX

The County will evaluate submissions using the following scoring framework:

A. Vision & Concept Alignment – 30%

• How well the EOI reflects the County’s goals for sports tourism, community use, and

economic development.

B. Experience & Qualifications – 30%

• Demonstrated success developing and operating comparable facilities.

C. Financial Capacity & Feasibility – 20%

• Strength of team’s financial resources, funding approach, and long-term

sustainability.

D. Innovation – 20%

• Creative, forward-thinking design, technology integration, or programming

concepts.

8. COUNTY RIGHTS & DISCLAIMERS

A. This REI does not obligate the County to award or enter into any agreements.

B. This submission of an EOI shall not be deemed to create a contract or any obligation on

the part of the County.

C. The County reserves the right to amend, modify, suspend or withdraw this REI at any time.

D. All costs incurred in the preparation and submission of an EOI shall be borne solely by the

respondent.

E. All EOI shall become property of the County and will not be returned.

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 236220Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

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