RFP Issued for Redevelopment of Greenwich’s Historic Havemeyer Building, Home to Schools Administration

On Wednesday the town released a Request for Proposals to redevelop the historic Havemeyer building on Greenwich Ave.

The Havemeyer building is located at 290 Greenwich Avenue, and is part of the Greenwich Avenue Historic District.

Built in 1892 as a public school, the building itself is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tile mosaic inside the Havemeyer building features the date of the building’s completion. May 21, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

“The Town is looking for a developer who will provide a high-quality vision and commercial proposal for the redevelopment and long-term use of this property. The Town encourages Respondents to submit creative proposals that generate strong economic activities and meaningful community uses, that together will benefit the Town of Greenwich and the residents of Greenwich.”

The school district’s administration have had their offices in the Havemeyer building for 76 years. The building was a gift from Mr. and Mrs. H.O. Havemeyer to the town for educational purposes. Today there are reminders throughout the building of its original use as a public school.

In 2009 funds were raised toward converting the building to an arts center. A group of citizens who proposed the “adaptive reuse” of the building formed The Greenwich Center for the Arts, Inc. (GCA), and as they attempted to make the proposal a reality, they raised millions of dollars in pledges. But ultimately their dream was not achieved.

Recently, an engineering firm determined the building was structurally sound, but it does need significant work.

There was a flood in the building’s lower level print shop. Printing is now outsourced, but the space was recently repaired and repainted. May 21, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

In April 2023 there was a flood in the building’s lower level print shop. Printing is now outsourced, but the space was recently repaired andrepainted. May 21, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Photo of original auditorium in the Havemeyer. Photo: GHS Compass yearbook.

Ductwork and insulation in the auditorium inside the Havemeyer building. May 21, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

At the May 2024 Board of Education meeting, First Selectman Fred Camillo and Andy Duus said they found rental space at Greenwich Plaza for the BOE administration, so they could move out of the Havemeyer building. But the school board members were skeptical given the annual rent was $2.8 million, excluding utilities. Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones pointed out that the lower level of the building was a busy warehouse, with trucks coming and going with deliveries for the entire district.

Mr. Duus said back in 1909 Henry O. Havemeyer’s son set aside money in a trust to maintain the building with the condition it be used for educational purposes. Recently there was just $673,000 in the fund.

Offices at the Havemeyer building are off an extra wide corridor, a reminder that the building was originally a public school. Photo: Leslie Yager May 21, 2024

Entrance to a large space used for storage says, “Drawing Room.” May 21, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Students left their marks over the years on the Havemeyer building when it served as a school. May 21, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Camillo told the BOE that experts had estimated the building was worth between $74 to $100 million.

“This is something that should be returned to the people of Greenwich,” he told the 8-member school board.

“The cleanest thing to do would be a retailer to take most of the building,” Camillo continued. “We Works was also a preference by one of the developers who looked at it.”

In any event, Mr. Camillo noted it was not necessary to have the BOE’s blessing to go ahead with an RFP. The Office of the First Selectman initiated the RFP and selected the members of the RFP Evaluation Committee.

The RFP issued on Wednesday says proposals should capture the historic significance of the building and its architecture, consider new additions or enhancements that are compatible with the existing building and immediate site, and conform to the existing surrounding area and neighborhoods.

The RFP says in addition to providing sufficient onsite parking for the proposed project, providing additional public parking would be beneficial to the Town.

The RFP said there was a preference for a long-term lease.

“Because of its premium location and its historic significance in the community, the Town, which owns the building, recognizes that its current use may not be its ‘highest and best’ use. The Town considers the Site a central landmark that could offer unique development opportunities for redevelopment which might contribute to the economic vitality and benefit the Town and the residents of Greenwich. The site is zoned Central Greenwich Business District (CGB) which permits a variety of commercial, office, and institutional land uses.”

Next to the lower level print shop where there was a flood is a room that houses communications cabling.Overhead are water pipes. may 21, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yage

Wooden handrails and metal balusters and newel posts in the stairwell of the Havemeyer building. May 21, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Developers responses will be prioritized according to historical rehabilitation and economic, financial, and social benefit to the Town and its residents.

They are asked to propose projects that capitalize on commercial revitalization, thereby generating tax revenue and job creation in downtown Greenwich.

Evaluations of responses will be evaluated on a point system with a max total of 100 points: 30 points for experience with similar projects, 30 points for design, 25 points for the estimated economic impact, and 15 points for the proposed net cost to the Town.

The highest ranked respondents will will be identified as finalists by the evaluation committee.

“After the First Selectman accepts the Respondent’s proposal recommended by the RFP Evaluation Committee, a follow-on committee will be established to coordinate with the winning Respondent for all necessary Town and regulatory approvals, to negotiate the lease, or other terms, and otherwise to support the execution and completion of the reconstruction project.”

Closing date for the RFP is November 15, 2024 at 11:00am and the purchasing dept contact is Michael Scarano, Procurement Administrator.