Mayor Brosnan made opening remarks reaffirming the pledge to talk about Noble after the primary and to create space for a community-led strategy to determine future use of the site.She noted the possibility of a public-private partnership that would not sell the land but would offer community benefit.

Chairwoman Budzinski introduced the proposal for a Noble Taskforce. The taskforce can be created by the administration without outside approval and would be a 7 member body overseen by the mayor’s office and include voices from the community – specifically the Save Alfred Noble non-profit. This body will have 3 key roles:

• The ability to fundraise and apply for grants for the Noble site.
• Support to host community events to create a gathering space and activate the property as an amenity
• Serve as a recommending body to the administration in the review of proposals for future development of the Alfred Noble site.

It was noted that the taskforce was designed to address concerns brought forward by residents in the past. This includes, the ability to fundraise and apply for grants for the the site; activate currently vacant space to benefit the neighborhood and be a test site for placemaking events that could be replicated in other parts of the city; additionally, the direction for future use will actively include those who have been advocating for the site for many years.

Regarding future use, Finance Director Debra Lichtenberg explained the Request for Qualification (RFQ) process as a means of finding a partner for a public-private development. Ms. Lichtenberg explained that the city currently has access to thousands of vendors via Mitten and can submit an RFQ that would outine desired use and available space to allow vendors to submit proposals by a deadline that would then be reviewed at no commitment by the city. The costs for the RFQ would be time to develop specifications for the proposal.

Audience members were provided time to speak.

Motions were made for a report and recommendation from the administration on pursuing an RFQ for the Noble site and multiple physical updates to the building.

This item remains in committee.