PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SELL PROPERTY AND REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR PURCHASE OF LOT LOCATED AT 1205 AND 1207 LOCUST STREET, WEST DES MOINES, IOWA , FOR REMOVAL OF EXISTING STRUCTURES, SUBDIVISION OF THE PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION OF THREE (3) SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES

The City of West Des Moines (“City”) is soliciting proposals from developers interested in purchasing a City-owned property located at 1205 and 1207 Locust Street in West Des Moines (“Property”), for the removal of existing structures, replating of the Property into three lots of record, and construction of three (3) single-family residential structures on the Property, and resale to buyers with annual household incomes of less than eighty percent (80%) of the Area Median Income (“AMI”) 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 Quit Claim deed requiring the removal of existing structures, replating of the Property into three (3) lots of record, and construction of three (3) single-family residential structures on the Property, and resale of the Property to buyers with annual household incomes of less than eighty percent (80%) of AMI. The City reimburse the original buyer up to $100,000.00 for reasonable demotion, platting, and utility connection expenses.

The Property is legally described as Lot 15 Nuttall Acres, 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 – 1205 and 1207 Locust 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 demolition, construction, and resale of the property.

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 26, 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:

• Removal (may include demolition) of existing structures, Subdivision of the property BUYER into three lots, and construction of three (3) single-family residential structures on the subdivided PROPERTY; and
• Resell the newly-platted and constructed residential Property by July 31, 2025, to buyers with annual household incomes 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 buyers 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 buyers; and
• Make available reasonable optional mortgage services to the new buyers; 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 construction buildings, structures and building codes

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

• Install sidewalks and concrete driveway; and
• Grade to the property lines; and
• Maintain erosion control until construction 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.