Request for Proposals: FUSE Restaurant Pad

The City of Gastonia, North Carolina is soliciting development proposals for a property located at 105 N. Trenton Street, near the Caromont Health Park and the FUSE District. The city-owned property features 8,500 square feet of open green space and 4,249 square feet of existing roof space, and the city is seeking a development partner to create a signature restaurant that will serve as a destination in the FUSE District. The proposed scope of work includes: * Developing a signature restaurant that takes advantage of the view of the baseball stadium * Maximizing the potential of the property to increase the tax base * Creating a project that meets the market and city needs * Offering a unique experience that complements the FUSE District The city is seeking a development partner with experience in destination restaurant development and public-private partnerships. The proposal should include: * A letter of introduction and summary of the respondent's qualifications and experience * Identification of the development team, including partner firms and roles * A development proposal that addresses the scope of work and includes a potential development concept and information about the specific restaurant tenant * Experience and references, including photos and illustrations of completed projects * Disclosures, including any potential conflicts of interest and financial information The evaluation criteria for the proposals will include: * Development proposal (30%) * Qualifications and experience of the development team (20%) * Level of integration of guiding public interests (20%) * Quality and success of prior development projects and public-private partnerships (10%) * Demonstrated ability to execute projects of similar scale and complexity (10%) * List of active development projects and demonstration of confidence in the project (10%) The deadline for submitting proposals is June 10, 2026, and the city reserves the right to cancel the RFP or waive any irregularities at its discretion. An optional pre-proposal meeting will be held on May 13, 2026. The city is looking for a development partner that can create a unique and exciting destination restaurant that will complement the FUSE District and contribute to the city's economic growth and development. The selected developer will be expected to work closely with city staff to develop a project that meets the city's needs and goals.