Cambridge Harbor REOI Released
On July 15, 2022 Cambridge Waterfront Development, Inc. (CWDI) released a Request for Expressions of Interest for its Cambridge Harbor Development.
Cambridge Harbor is planned as a premier, highly activated mixed-use development and waterfront district to include public spaces, amenities and events focused on creating a strong sense of community in Cambridge, while establishing a desirable destination for regional tourism and visitors alike.
The final Cambridge Harbor plan consists of approximately 30 developable acres along the Choptank River and Cambridge Creek in Cambridge, Maryland, that includes a (A) deep-water port, a 470-foot wharf, (B) a public boat ramp and the foundation of a continuous waterfront promenade. Adjacent to the Development Area and also on the waterfront is (C) Sailwinds Park ---public open space that continues the waterfront promenade and includes a beach, a playground and a visitors center with an iconic 100-foot sail. Also adjacent to the site is (D) a gateway with public art, (E) maritime museum with historical boat-building facilities, and (F) a working waterfront. Anticipated uses for the Development Area include hospitality, food and beverage, entertainment and assembly space, retail, mixed-use use residential, and possibly office space.
The waterfront will be a robust and activated public space. CWDI is committed to creating and managing an environmentally sustainable, active and enjoyable world-class waterfront experience that is attractive to residents and visitors. An improved continuous public promenade and beach along with public art and educational exhibits will be the foundation of the experience.
“We’re looking for the best partners to help us bring the Cambridge Harbor vision to reality,” says Matt Leonard, CWDI’s Executive Director. “This REOI is a critical step in that search.”
CWDI is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit development corporation formed through joint Agreement of the City of Cambridge, Maryland; Dorchester County, Maryland; and the State of Maryland for purposes of collaboration and cooperation in the comprehensive planning and redevelopment of certain properties along and adjacent to the Cambridge waterfront extending from the Choptank River Bridge Fishing Pier/Gateway to Cambridge Creek for the betterment of Cambridge, Dorchester County, and the region.
CWDI’s mission is to develop the Cambridge Waterfront in partnership with the community to create an inviting, accessible, active and enjoyable place to live, work, play and visit.
The REOI will be open until November 15, 2022. The REOI process will include rolling submissions by interested entities as they complete their proposals. CWDI will evaluate the proposals received throughout the proposal period and during the final quarter of 2022, during which time demolition of the proposal period and during the final quarter of 2022, during which time demolition of the existing buildings will be accomplished.
A pre-submittal meeting is scheduled at the Cambridge Harbor site at 9:00AM on Monday, August 15, 2022. To register for the meeting and/or to receive a copy of the REOI, those interested should email Matt Leonard at matt.leonard@cwdimd.org. Link for document is below.
REOI Responses
Close of Business on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, marked the close of the response period for the Cambridge Harbor Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) issued on July 15, 2022. Cambridge Waterfront Development, Inc. (CWDI), the non-profit development corporation formed to develop Cambridge Harbor, is pleased to report the general results of the REOI process.
CWDI received 27 responses from various potential partners able to help plan, develop and activate Cambridge Harbor. In broad categories, these include 3 Developers, 1 Investor -Developer Team, 1 Developer-Builder Team, 1 Marina Developer-Operator, 5 General Contractors, 3 Designers, 1 Marine Contractor, 1 Property Manager, 2 Vendor/ Subcontractors, and 9 Site Activation Entities.
“We are very pleased with the results,” said Matt Leonard, CWDI’s Executive Director. “The quantity and quality are exactly what we need to move the process forward.”
The REOI was open for response for 123 days. During that time, CWDI proactively distributed the REOI directly to potential respondents and through its mission partners to others. These partners include the City of Cambridge, Dorchester County, and the State of Maryland. CWDI promoted the opportunity to respond through various platforms. They hosted two in-person sessions in collaboration with the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce. The first session was held at the Cambridge Harbor site on August 15th and was open to all interested parties. The second was held at the Chamber of Commerce’s offices on October 18th and targeted Dorchester County and City of Cambridge-based businesses to help them best format their responses.
CWDI also engaged in inbound and outbound face-to-face visits to increase the chances of receiving more and better-qualified responses. Respondents hail from near and far from Cambridge, Maryland, indicating that CWDI’s process and approach worked well. Of the 27 respondents, 24 visited the Cambridge Harbor site and met with CWDI. CWDI also visited various of the respondents’ operations or project sites to better understand their capabilities and identify their best fit for the Cambridge Harbor project.
“The aim of the REOI process is to identify and conform a group of best development and activation partners,” adds Leonard. “The collaborative and interactive REOI process helped broaden the types of respondents while improving the quality of their responses.”
The map below of respondent's headquarters or key operations locations shows desirable mix of capable local and national partners.
Cambridge Harbor will be a highly activated waterfront district to include public spaces, amenities, and events focused on promoting the City of Cambridge and Dorchester County’s multi-faceted history, heritage, and culture while creating a unique destination for tourism. Cambridge Harbor consists of 30+ developable acres along the Choptank River and Cambridge Creek in Cambridge, Maryland, that already includes a deep-water port, a new public wharf, a public boat ramp, an adjacent working waterfront, a maritime museum, and a visitor center. The development plan includes a continuous waterfront bike/walk promenade, boutique hotel, multiple food and beverage, entertainment and public recreation space, retail, office/educational/ creative spaces/ and mixed-use residential.
CWDI will engage the respondents further as needed through the first quarter of 2023 to evaluate their capabilities and fit for the Cambridge Harbor project. CWDI aims to make final selections and terms for best partnerships in the second quarter of 2023. Following that, they will report back to the community in detail about the development team conformed to develop Cambridge Harbor. CWDI is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit development corporation formed through a joint Agreement of the City of Cambridge, Maryland; Dorchester County, Maryland; and the State of Maryland. CWDI’s mission is to develop Cambridge Harbor in partnership with the community, to the benefit of the community, and to sustainably operate and maintain Cambridge Harbor as an inviting, accessible, active, and enjoyable place to live, work, play and visit.
For more information about CWDI or Cambridge Harbor please contact Matt Leonard at matt.leonard@cwdimd.org; (434)579-0374.
