Consultant sought for Park Ave. Armory.

The Empire State Development Corporation (ESD), in partnership with the Division of Military and Naval Affairs, is interested in retaining a consultant to help develop a public/private partnership mechanism to: finance capital improvements for the Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue in Manhattan, with private funds; and increase the revenues generated at the Armory by having a private management firm operate the Armory's approximately 40,000 square-foot exhibition area and several smaller rooms.

Built between 1877 and 1880, the Armory, located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, occupies an entire city block between Park and Lexington avenues and 66th and 67th streets. The landmarked building contains an approximately 40,000 square-foot, 80 foot-high drill shed, which is one of the largest non-columned open spaces in the City, as well as culturally and historically significant period rooms. Some of the rooms were designed and decorated by the famous architect Stanford White and the renowned Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The facility suffers from significant deterioration. Some of the problems include ceilings, masonry and structural cracks that need to be repaired. In total, it is estimated that several million dollars will be required for necessary capital improvements.

The exhibition area, which hosts some of the largest and most prestigious antique, art, and antiquarian book shows in the country, is available for rent. Besides the drill shed, the period rooms are also rented out for corporate-sponsored events and social functions. It is anticipated that these venues offer opportunity for significant revenue generation.

As part of its analysis, some of the major issues and/or concerns that the consultant will need to address include:

* The Armory is located in a residential neighborhood on Upper East Side of Manhattan. As such, the Armory may only be used in ways that the local community would find unobjectionable.

* The Armory is historically and culturally significant. It was designated a National Landmark in 1986, and a New York Landmark in 1994. The Armory's ornately decorated rooms are among the finest surviving examples of the American Esthetic Movement.

* The facility lacks an HVAC system. A lack of air-conditioning, of course, may limit the facility's potential uses.

* The building is home to a women's shelter run for the City by the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, a non-profit agency, occupying two floors of the building.

* The Armory is used by various organizations for military purposes. The Seventh Regiment (now the 107th Infantry) is situated at the Armory, and a military youth corps known as the Knickerbocker Greys drills at the facility. These organizations must be able to continue their activities with a minimal amount of inconvenience.

After completing a thorough analysis of the various issues raised by the project, the consultant will assist ESD with, among other things: RFP/solicitation development and counseling; Evaluation and ranking of bids received; and Negotiation of agreements.

If you wish to be considered as the consultant for this project, submit a proposal no later than February 12th at 5:00 p.m. All proposals must contain the following:

* Describe how your firm would approach this assignment and what variables you would recommend to use as a basis of comparison among the proposals.

* Identify the role and experience of each assignment team member.

* Discuss experience and scope of similar projects that your firm has completed.

* Provide a fee estimate and work plan.

A tour of the facility will be provided on Thursday, January 21st at 11 a.m. If you are interested in taking part in the tour, meet in the Armory's lobby.