DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA) SEEKING EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST TO ACQUIRE VACANT LAND FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NATIONAL CEMETERY COLUMBARIUM The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is interested in acquiring vacant land on which it may construct a VA columbarium in New York, New York. VA will also consider a donation of land or value. A columbarium consists of a wall-like structure that contains individual niches designed to hold cremated remains. The structure can be constructed outdoors, or an existing building may be fitted with prefabricated banks of niches to create an indoor memorial space. To be considered, the site must be within New York, Bronx, Queens, Kings, or Richmond County, and the land must be no less than three (3) acres in size. Special consideration will be given to sites that are located within close proximity to both public transportation and major roadways. EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION, AS KNOWN OR AVAILABLE. PLEASE NOTE THAT TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE FOR THIS PROJECT, AND RESPONDENTS SHOULD INCLUDE AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE IN THEIR INITIAL SUBMISSIONS. VA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ELIMINATE A SITE THAT FAILS TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT INFORMATION. 1. Site location, address, block and lot, zoning, and legal description. 2. Size of parcel and amount (or range) of usable acreage offered. 3. Site plan, survey and/or plat map of the site indicating the location of the parcel offered. Site plan should include location of utilities, any easements (above and below ground), adjacent roads, and/or other encumbrances affecting the potential development of the parcel. Include any grading, drainage or sewer plans that have been or will be completed in the future. 4. Map showing site location, proximity to major roadways and public transportation, future developments in close proximity to the site, including neighboring construction or public works projects. 5. Site aerials/renderings photos and graphics. 6. Description of any known title issues, defects, deed restrictions and encumbrances. PLEASE PROVIDE BRIEF EXPLANATIONS/CLARIFICATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: 1. The availability of utilities to the site, including water, sewer, gas, electric and fiber optics. 2. Any known environmental issues and any remediation efforts taken or to be taken. Provide copies of environmental or related studies. 3. Provide evidence that the site offered is outside the 100-year flood plain. Clarify if the site contains any wetlands (as defined and as may be certified by FEMA). 4. Identify the parties who currently own and/or control the site. Identify whether the site is under contract, whether any options to purchase exist, etc. Offeror and/or firm submitting Expressions of Interest should state its relationship to the site (for example, owner, broker, legal representative, etc.). If Offeror is not legal owner of the site, please provide documentation from owner that clearly demonstrates authorization to the offer the site. VA staff will conduct a site selection tour of offered properties that meet the government's specific evaluation criteria. Interested offerors (owners, brokers, or their legal representatives) should submit one (1) electronic copy of information concerning the property no later than 4:00 p.m. EST on April 1, 2011. Submissions under 5MB in size should be e-mailed, and submissions over 5MB in size should be submitted via FTP file transfer or on DVD or CD-ROM sent via a national express courier. Submissions, and any questions regarding this project, should be sent to VA's broker, as follows: Caitlin Coan, Project Manager Department of Veterans Affairs Real Property Service (00CFM3C) 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20420 (202) 461-0536
[email protected] With a copy to: Newmark Knight Frank Attn: Ms. Jennifer Schwartzman 125 Park Avenue New York, NY 10017 (212) 372-2205
[email protected] RESPONDENTS ARE ADVISED THAT VA WILL NOT PAY MORE THAN FAIR MARKET VALUE, AND THAT VA ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY TO SELECT OR PURCHASE PROPERTY BASED UPON RESPONSES TO THIS ADVERTISEMENT. VA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AMEND THIS ADVERTISEMENT AS NEEDED.