Redevelopment commission approves RFP for Parkside Market at 98 E. High Street

The Lawrenceburg Redevelopment Commission on Feb. 9 approved a request to advertise a combined request for proposals for 98 East High Street and 9 Short Street — the properties the commission calls Parkside Market and the building behind it.

Executive Director Bridal Messmer told commissioners the commission had obtained two appraisals and proposed listing the property at the average of those appraisals with a minimum purchase price of $322,500. Messmer said proposals must include a plan to operate a food-based business open to the public at least five days per week and that the existing residential rental units on the parcel are linked to the sale and must be maintained.

"We are listing it as a base price for the average of the two appraisals," Messmer said. "They will be responsible for not just running a business open to the public that is a food-based business ... but also they've gotta provide clean and safe accommodations to their residential tenants."

The RFP packet, Messmer said, also requires proof of financial ability (purchase price plus an additional $100,000) and will include an economic development agreement with clawbacks allowing the city to take action — up to reclaiming the property — if a buyer fails to follow through on the plan presented to the commission. She described the March 5, 2026, 11 a.m. submission deadline and said commissioners would receive proposals with a scoring matrix for review ahead of a planned March 9 selection vote.

The commission approved a motion to publish the public notice and proceed with the RFP and evaluation schedule. Messmer described the timeline as aggressive but negotiable and said the advertised business-open target date was June 1, 2026, depending on negotiations, approvals and construction needed to retrofit the commercial space.

A member of the public, Scott McClain, asked whether $322,500 was a minimum bid; Messmer confirmed it was the minimum and reiterated additional RFP requirements, including that proposers must show they have run a similar business for five consecutive years in the tri-state area and demonstrate financing ability.

The commission packet and public notice — including stated requirements, submission deadline and proposed scoring — will be posted as advertised; the commission will review responsive proposals and hold the selection vote at its March meeting.