City releases a more open master-development RFP for Simplot property; council asks for scope clarifications

Staff presented a revised master-development request for proposals (RFP) for the recently purchased Simplot property and asked council for input on scope and requirements.

Miss Broccane said the RFP was reworked following advice from the city’s financial adviser to be more open-ended, inviting developers to propose their vision rather than adhering to a prescriptive plan. The draft RFP requests phasing plans, site work, proposed square footage, jobs created, and options for addressing blight or spin‑off industries. Broccane said she will add clearer information about a subterranean wastewater pipe that imposes site constraints.

Council members asked whether proposers’ ideas would remain confidential while the city evaluates responses; staff said proposals would be kept confidential during evaluation and that statutory public-record requirements would apply once selections are made. Council asked whether light industrial uses should be permitted; the question will be refined in the RFP language based on council feedback.

Staff asked for council guidance on timeline and outreach; Broccane said the dates in her draft were placeholders and will be adjusted to align with construction seasonality and scoring timelines. Councilors thanked staff for the work and asked to review a final draft before issuance.