Philadelphia Navy Yard Development Team Releases Request for Proposals Seeking Firms to Update Master Plan

by Navy Yard
January 4, 2021

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Download press release as PDF: Navy Yard Master Plan RFP – 01.04.2021 – final

Update 1/12/21: Register for the Pre-Bid Meeting on Friday, January 15 at 9-11AM on Zoom.

PIDC, Philadelphia’s public-private economic development corporation, in partnership with Ensemble Real Estate Investments and Mosaic Development Partners (“Ensemble/Mosaic”), has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) opportunity for large-scale comprehensive master planning at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. PIDC and Ensemble/Mosaic seek proposals from qualified, experienced, diverse, and inclusive planning, design, and engineering firms to develop and deliver a comprehensive master plan. The 2021 Navy Yard Master Plan Update will establish a dynamic, cohesive, and achievable placemaking vision and development framework as the Navy Yard embarks on its next phase of expansion and growth.

In July 2020, PIDC announced the selection of Ensemble/Mosaic as its development partner for 109 acres at the Navy Yard. Selection of the Ensemble/Mosaic team was the culmination of a year-long competitive process that attracted interest from more than 35 development teams from across the country. This next phase of development will further establish the Navy Yard as a world-class business destination with a focus as a life science hub including R&D and cGMP manufacturing space in addition to the creation of a vibrant residential mixed-use district including retail and makerspace. PIDC and the Ensemble/Mosaic team envision up to $2.6 billion of new private investment that will drive many thousands of new construction and permanent jobs.

In alignment with PIDC’s mission to spur investment and support business growth in Philadelphia, and to deliver a vibrant and cohesive campus that accommodates the ambitious development proposed by Ensemble/Mosaic, PIDC and Ensemble/Mosaic will update the previous 2004 and 2013 master plans for the Navy Yard campus.

“Over the last two decades, employers, developers, partners, and the U.S. Navy have made long-term commitments and investments, which have established the Navy Yard as a major employment center in Philadelphia and as an exciting place to work,” said Kate McNamara, PIDC Senior Vice President, Navy Yard. “We will continue to build on the Navy Yard’s momentum with our new partners Ensemble/Mosaic, as we seek a diverse and creative planning team to update the master plan aligned with our goals. This update will promote inclusive economic growth through new commercial development, investment, and increased employment; provide new retail opportunities for local, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses; and provide a welcoming and inclusive public space for all Philadelphians for generations to come.”

The 2021 Update will reflect development that has occurred since the 2013 Navy Yard Master Plan Update, as well as incorporate and refine Ensemble/Mosaic’s conceptual plan for a new mixed-use program on 109 acres, including the first residential development at the Navy Yard.  The 2021 Update will also include creative planning for PIDC-controlled sites, important common areas of the Navy Yard including the Broad Street gate, and public spaces and amenities. Efficient, sustainable infrastructure, multimodal transportation, and energy distribution systems will be critical components of the plan. The 2021 Update is expected to integrate each of these important features into a compelling and achievable framework that positions the Navy Yard to deliver a dynamic, expanded commercial and mixed-use campus with a distinctive, integrated sense of place that attracts businesses and creates a vibrant new multi-family residential community.

“Ensemble has a founding principle embedded in our name: a well-organized collaborative effort to achieve an exceptional outcome,” said Brian Cohen, Senior Vice President, Regional Director at Ensemble Real Estate Investments. “Together with our partners at Mosaic and PIDC, we are excited to begin the search for a world-class planning team to update the comprehensive master plan and provide a guide for future development decisions to unlock the full potential of the Navy Yard, one of the most successful redevelopment projects in the country.”

PIDC and Ensemble/Mosaic are deeply committed to ensuring that the next stage of growth at the Navy Yard is inclusive, diverse, and representative of the City of Philadelphia. The 2021 Update represents the first step in that process, and firms are strongly encouraged to incorporate diversity comprehensively in their teams to ensure an approach to the 2021 Update that helps build an inclusive development framework for future growth at the Navy Yard. Submissions will be evaluated, in part, on the demonstrated commitment to diversity in the proposal team, including meaningful and significant project roles for minority, women, and disabled-owned business enterprises (M/W/DSBEs).

“Our team is extremely excited to develop the next phase of the Navy Yard,” said Greg Reaves, Principal, Mosaic Development Partners. “Our commitment to inclusion and community wealth building has been demonstrated through our work. To have this amazing canvas to expand our collective programs and strategies, along with our partners, Ensemble and PIDC, is unprecedented and will help to build a more vibrant, and welcoming community.”

To learn more about the opportunity, submission process, and to view the Request for Proposal (RFP), visit plan.navyyard.org/. Proposals are due February 5, 2021. Interviews will be held with selected respondents on February 23 and 24, and a selected team will be announced in March.

 

Media contacts:

Jennifer Tran, PIDC
215-218-2854
jtran@PIDCphila.com

Nate Mercer, Ensemble
602-385-2856
nmercer@ensemble.net

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