REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
1. Introduction
Stewart Rutledge, a real estate developer based in Oxford, MS, is acting as an agent for a land owner seeking to hire a professional planner to analyze a 150+ acre parcel of property in Lafayette County in order to be able to present a report on this property which outlines its best and highest uses as well as the challenges in achieving those uses.
2. The Property
Due to confidentiality concerns, the precise property will be identified to applicants as needed.
However, the property is 150+ acres, and it is located within the city limits of Oxford, MS. It has very poor roadway access, and it has faced political and likely racially discriminatory challenges on more than one side of the property.
Prior governmental decisions and likely political machinations have resulted in the property being largely landlocked in spite of its prime location and suitability for new development.
The owner of the property is a longtime affordable housing supporter, and he seeks to find a path to overcome these challenges to use this property for a variety of uses, including affordable and workforce housing. Put differently, this matter has a strong social justice component.
3. The Request
Rutledge desires to find applicants who could analyze the property themselves but who could also manage outside professionals in creating a comprehensive analysis. This could include land use attorneys, civil rights attorneys, engineers, and even other planners. Rutledge seeks to find someone to lay out a clear plan of action and then to “quarterback” the completion of that plan.
Items that would likely need to be addressed:
▪ The history of the property and how it came to be landlocked (likely involving interviews with local parties)
▪ Ingress and egress options as the land is currently situated pursuant to the applicable land development code
▪ Applicable law and regulations governing the property, and particularly governing those actions being taken to block the development of the property
▪ Comparable land use cases in Mississippi and elsewhere to put this situation in context
▪ A description of the highest and best use as well as a clear path of what is needed to accomplish this use
4. How to Apply
If you are interested in submitting a proposal to do this work, please email Rutledge at stewart.rutledge@rosedalecorporation.com with a brief letter describing your interest along with a resume.
Interested applicants may be asked to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement.