PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SELL PROPERTY AND REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR PURCHASE OF LOT LOCATED AT 545 8TH STREET, WEST DES MOINES, IOWA , FOR RENOVATION OF A SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE WITH DETACHED GARAGE

The City of West Des Moines (“City”) is soliciting proposals from developers interested in purchasing a City-owned property located at 545 8th Street in West Des Moines (“Property”), for the renovation of a single-family residential structure and detached garage on the property, pursuant to the terms of the proposed Purchase Agreement. Please note the Property is being sold as-is. Title will be conveyed via Quit Claim deed. The City will place a restriction on the deed requiring the renovation to be completed as agreed upon and resale of the Property to buyers with annual household income of less than eighty percent (80%) of the Area Median Income (AMI).

The Property is legally described as Lot 12 Butlers Add to Valley Junction, an Official Plat, now included in and forming a part of the City of West Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa.

Proposers shall submit their proposals in a sealed envelope, plainly marked “Proposal for City-owned lot – 545 8th Street”, no later than 2:00 p.m., local time, on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, in the City Clerk’s Office at West Des Moines City Hall, 4200 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa.

After receipt of the Proposals, the Director of the Department of Community and Economic Development will evaluate the proposals and make a recommendation to Council and the Council will accept a proposal at its meeting on December 18, 2023. A public hearing for the sale of the Property will be held on January 16, 2024.

Submission Requirements:

Each proposal shall include the following:

• Certified check, treasurer’s check or cashier’s check in the amount of $500 as proposal security to ensure full performance of the Purchase Agreement, refundable upon completion of the renovation.

Process:

• Award of Proposal: The award will go to the proposer that best meets the criteria below and whose proposal is in the best interest of the City of West Des Moines.

• The successful proposer will be required to execute a Purchase Agreement with the City of West Des Moines no later than January 5, 2024, or the proposal will be rejected. A copy of the proposed Agreement and a sample Proposal Sheet are available upon request from the City of West Des Moines Legal Department (222-3523 or 222-3526) or on the City’s RFP page at: http://www.wdm.iowa.gov/business/rfp-proposal-postings

Sale is Subject to Restrictions and Requirements:

• Renovate (demolition is not permitted) the current duplex into a single-family residential structure and detached garage on the PROPERTY; and
• Resell the renovated Property by January 31, 2025, to a buyer with an annual household income of less than eighty percent (80%) of the AMI in conformance with all local, state and federal laws, including, but not limited to those laws regarding fair housing; and
• Place a deed restriction on the Property prior to resale that limits the transfer of the Property to a buyer with an annual household income of less than eighty percent (80%) of the AMI until 2034; and
• Prior to the resale of the Property, provide housing counseling and financial education to the new buyer; and
• Make available reasonable optional mortgage services to the new buyer; and
• Connect all private and public utility connections to the Property; and
• Pay all permit fees; and
• Comply with the City of West Des Moines, Iowa, ordinances, codes and regulations regarding new renovation buildings, structures and building codes

  (See also http://www.wdm.iowa.gov/government/development-services/building-inspection/permit-applications/single-family-residential ); and

• Grade to the property lines; and
• Maintain erosion control until renovation is complete and grass is established.

Payment for Bill of Sale: Payment of the proposal price by successful proposer must be made by certified check, treasurer’s check or cashier’s check issued by a responsible bank or trust company, payable to the City of West Des Moines by January 26, 2024, 5:00 p.m. in exchange for the Quit Claim deed to the property. If the City does not receive payment of the proposal price by January 26, 2024, the City may, at its sole discretion, without further notification to the awarded proposer, attempt to award the proposal to the next proposer.

All persons awarded and/or entering into contracts with the City of West Des Moines shall be subject to and required to comply with all applicable city, state and federal provisions pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal employment opportunity and affirmative action.

Proposer agrees to indemnify and hold the City harmless from suits or action of every nature and description brought against it, for or on account of any injuries or damages received or sustained by any party or parties, by or from any of the acts of the Proposer, its employees, subcontractors, or agents.

Failure to submit any materials or comply with the requirements of this Request for Proposal may result in the proposal being deemed nonresponsive and rejected. The City reserves the right to reject any and/or all proposals. The proposal must be signed by a person authorized to bind the proposer.

For more information, please contact the City’s Community and Economic Development Department at (515) 273-0770.