NEW YORK CITY (TIP): New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) has announced the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) from qualified food manufacturing, wholesale and/or distribution companies to lease 2.18 acres including a built 27,000 square foot industrial space in the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center (HPFDC) in the Bronx. RFP respondents should submit proposals that will assist in bolstering economic growth within the HPFDC and will generate quality food-related industrial sector jobs that benefit the wider Bronx community. The full RFP is available here.

“We committed $150 million dollars to make Hunts Point Market a more modern and resilient job hub for the people of the South Bronx,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Today we’re make good on that commitment, by investing in the Fish Market so we can bring attract a new business and even more good jobs to Hunts Point.”

“The continued expansion of job-intensive food manufacturing and distribution businesses in Hunts Point exemplifies the de Blasio administration’s commitment to building a sustainable and resilient 21st century economy that expands business opportunities and creates jobs that help New Yorkers thrive,” said NYCEDC President Maria Torres-Springer.

“We welcome any Request for Proposals (RFP) that will help in the continued growth of Hunts Point and the entire Bronx,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “The Bronx is the home to perhaps the largest food market in the world, employing thousands of Bronxites and residents from all over the region. Finding more tenants for the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center (HPFDC) not only creates and maintain jobs for The Bronx, it will reduce the cost to consumers by bringing food manufacturers and distributors closer to the food source while also providing restaurants with fresher products. This proposal will also ease the economic burden on those existing companies doing business at the market. This could be a victory for both the New York City consumer and for our Bronx business sector in the Hunts Point neighborhood, and my office will continue its efforts to drive new business growth in The Bronx at not only this market, but in every corner of the borough.”

“The opportunity for another business to locate in the New Fulton Fish Market and the jobs and economic growth this creates are welcome additions in the South Bronx,” said Councilmember Rafael Salamanca. “We are very proud that a much of our region’s fresh foods come from right here in Hunts Point, and we know that any new additions to the Hunts Point Market will only add to its success.”

“The new RFP at The New Fulton Fish Market in Hunts Point will provide the opportunity for a tenant from the food distribution industry to create jobs and help grow our local economy. This new tenant will help to create living wage jobs opportunities for low-income and disadvantaged workers, including through contracting for minority and women-owned businesses. I encourage all qualified businesses to apply and help bring more economic opportunity to the Bronx through inclusive initiatives like this one,” said Congressman José Serrano.

“I am delighted to hear that additional city owned space is being made available to food manufacturers and distributors in Hunts Point. The Bronx is quickly becoming a magnet for food related industries due to the proximity of the largest food market in the world as well as easy access to interstate highways. This effort will add to our growing work force. Everybody wins!” said Marlene Cintron, President of the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation. “We welcome our new neighbor and look forward to our working together on matters of mutually beneficial growth and development for our businesses” Richie Klein, President The New Fulton Fish Market Cooperative at Hunts Point, Inc.

The HPFDC industrial park is comprised of wholesale food distribution businesses and other food-related enterprises, providing excellent access to regional highway and rail networks that make it one of the City’s best-positioned industrial locations. The available space is a portion of a modern food facility built in 2005; the remainder of the facility is home to the HPFDC’s New Fulton Fish Market (NFFM). The RFP site will be fully separated from the NFFM’s occupied space by an internal demising wall and has a private parking lot with separate egress/ingress enclosed within a chain-linked fence.

Release of this RFP is the first phase of Mayor de Blasio’s commitment towards investing $150 million to fortify and modernize the Hunt Point Market infrastructure over the next 12 years.

Respondents should be a food-related industrial use compliant with New York State Agricultural and Markets law and must demonstrate financial capacity to pay market rental rates for the space and their pro-rated share of any related operating expenses and capital expenditures at the premises. Respondents’ proposed use should not directly compete with the NFFM’s on-site comparison shopping of wholesale fish and seafood. Proposals must include provisions to minimize negative environmental impacts on the Hunts Point residential community and industrial area.

As part of the City’s efforts to expand economic and workforce opportunities, responses to this RFP must comply with a comprehensive workforce and procurement program that supports communities and helps create job opportunities, especially those that enable low-income New Yorkers to participate in the City’s economic growth. This includes the utilization of NYCEDC’s HireNYC program for disadvantaged workers, as well as contracting goals for minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBE), and requirements with respect to living wage and prevailing wage, as applicable. The selected respondent will enter into a direct lease with the City.

Responses to the RFP are due on September 23, 2016. Information about a site visit can be found on the RFP website. NYCEDC will conduct a site visit for potential respondents at 9:00 a.m. August 9, 2016. For information on the latest real estate development and procurement opportunities available throughout all five boroughs, click here.

About NYCEDC:
New York City Economic Development Corporation is the City’s primary vehicle for promoting economic growth in each of the five boroughs. NYCEDC’s mission is to stimulate growth through expansion and redevelopment programs that encourage investment, generate prosperity and strengthen the City’s competitive position. NYCEDC serves as an advocate to the business community by building relationships with companies that allow them to take advantage of New York City’s many opportunities. Find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter, or visit our blog to learn more about NYCEDC projects and initiatives.