Empire State Development (ESD) today issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the purchase and redevelopment of the remaining portion of the former Wassaic Developmental Center, also known as the Wassaic Campus of the Taconic Developmental Disabilities Services Office.

“The Wassaic Campus presents a tremendous development opportunity in the Harlem Valley,” said ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “The site’s proximity to thriving tech and cultural resources, strong transit networks, and the Harlem Valley’s natural scenic beauty present exciting potential. We encourage respondents to submit creative responses that stimulate vibrant community and economic growth in the region.”

As part of the State’s ongoing initiative to support individuals with developmental disabilities within the community, the residential portion of the Taconic Developmental Disabilities Services Office campus was closed in 2014. The campus is currently used for administrative functions of the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, occupying four buildings on the Site as well as the on-site power plant. In March 2017, ESD issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) to generate ideas, responses and recommendations to inform a planned RFP process.

The site that is the subject of this RFP is located at 26 Center Circle. It consists of approximately 320 acres, including nine acres of ground floor area constituting approximately 740,000 built square feet. The site’s vast size, location and accessibility make it an exciting opportunity for creative, well-planned development. The goal of this RFP is to advance public policy goals and maximize economic benefits to New York State while creating a premier destination in the scenic Harlem Valley. Respondents are invited to propose mixed-use development plans that may include, but are not limited to, lodging and event space; residential, commercial and cultural uses; and agricultural or other seasonal land uses.

ESD is seeking Proposals for a well-integrated, mixed-use development that meets the development objectives:

• Utilizes the Site as an economic engine for the Harlem Valley region and New York State;
• Maximizes economic benefit to the State while minimizing the State’s economic and environmental risk;
• Enhances and complements the area’s existing resources and amenities;
• Capitalizes on the proximity of rail transit at the Site by creating new workforce housing opportunities and/or jobs for New Yorkers;
• Maximizes green building and sustainable design practices; and
• Incorporates meaningful participation by Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (“MBE”), Women-Owned Business Enterprises (“WBE”), and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned-Businesses (“SDVOB”), per Articles 15-A and 17-B of the New York State Executive Law.

Responses are due by Friday, September 28, 2018 by 2:00 PM. An optional site visit is scheduled for Monday, July 30, 2018. Respondents are not required to attend; however, if they wish to participate, they must RSVP to wassaicRFP@esd.ny.gov.

The RFP and additional information is available on the Empire State Development website here.

About Empire State Development
Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency (www.esd.ny.gov). The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NEW YORK,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov  and www.esd.ny.gov.