The city of Columbus, through its Board of Aviation Commissioners, has issued a request for proposals to developers for development services to design, build, establish and operate a transportation Proving Ground, Research & Development, and/or Testing and Validation Complex on the former Walesboro Airport property.
Parcels of 465 acres, 535 acres and 625 acres are available on the land, one half mile east of I-65 Exit 64 on County Road 450S. Proposals are due July 31 by no later than 4 p.m.
Greater Columbus Economic Development Corporation (EDC) assisted the Board of Aviation Commissioners in preparation of the RFP and will continue to offer advisory services throughout the evaluation process, said Jason Hester, president of the Greater Columbus EDC.
“We are enthused to see the Airport take this important step to issue an RFP for the potential redevelopment of the former Walesboro Airport property into a transportation Proving Ground, Research & Development, and/or Testing & Validation Complex,” Hester said. “Columbus, Indiana, is a city that is known for its design, engineering, and manufacturing strengths, and if successfully developed as envisioned, this project will serve existing and new employers while positioning Columbus, Indiana, as a national leader in automotive development and testing for decades to come.”
Interested developers can download a copy of the RFP beginning today at https://www.columbus.in.gov/airport/ and www.columbusin.org or by emailing Brian Payne, Airport Director, at bpayne@columbus.in.gov to request a copy.
For additional information, a pre-proposal conference is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, and questions about the RFP can be emailed to bpayne@columbus.in.gov and jhester@columbusin.org.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.
Source: http://www.therepublic.com/2020/06/10/city-releases-request-for-proposals-on-walesboro/