PURCELLVILLE, Va. July 31, 2017— The Town of Purcellville Town Council has approved and issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the preservation and management of the Fireman’s Field Complex located at 250 S. Nursery Avenue. The RFP is issued with the purpose of fully and in perpetuity preserving, maintaining, and enhancing the character and town ownership of the entire property by generating public revenue to cover related costs without having to increase citizens’ tax burden.
Fireman’s Field is a historic property containing a number of assets: historic baseball field; historic meeting tabernacle used for a roller skating rink and community events; large, urban forest and park used for passive recreation and special events, including picnic areas and a gazebo; two additional baseball fields; and a public parking lot for the property and Town Hall.
The Purcellville community enjoys the events and activities held at the Tabernacle. It is important to note that several members of the Purcellville Town Council and Community have expressed a desire that any proposal maintains and/or improves upon many of the existing activities and events as the Town Citizens and greater Purcellville Community view this Fireman’s Field and Tabernacle complex as having significant community and historic value.
The Town is looking for firms with proposals that will (1) permanently preserve, maintain, and enhance the character and feel of the property as a historic town asset and key component of Purcellville’s community identity, and (2) generate and maximize public revenue for Purcellville citizens.
The RFP is the next step in a year-long effort initiated by the Town Council to look at all options for the Fireman’s Field complex. Earlier this year, the Town issued a Request for Information and received positive feedback from responding firms about the potential uses on the site. The Town specifically notes that any firm may respond to the RFP, not just those who participated in the original RFI.
The RFP is available at http://www.purcellvilleva.gov/bids and will be widely distributed to stakeholders, partners, and potential respondents.
“Our responsibility as a Town Council is to look at all possible options,” said Council Member Ryan Cool, liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. “With this RFP we want to receive formal proposals from the broader community on how firms may be able to preserve and manage this important and historic property.”
Mayor Kwasi Fraser said, “Building partnerships with local and regional firms enables us to identify and pursue innovative and creative solutions for preserving and enhancing the property while at the same time optimizing the revenue potential of our assets, resulting in economic and social benefit to the entire community. We heard great ideas for managing this property during the RFI process and we expect additional positive responses as part of the formal RFP.”
Initial questions should be sent by August 14, 2017, for review and response by the Town. A time for a tour of the property will be provided to all interested firms after August 14th. The RFP will be open for formal responses until September 5, 2017, at 10:00am. Questions about the RFP should be directed to the Procurement Specialist, Kathy Elgin, at kelgin@purcellvilleva.gov or 540-338-7093.
