Request For Expressions of Interest for Cook Hall Harpers Ferry, WV

The National Park Service is seeking expressions of interest for the adaptive reuse of Cook Hall, a 9,970-square-foot historic building located at 252 McDowell Street in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Constructed in 1939–1940 as a dormitory for Storer College, the property includes 30 rooms, a kitchen, laundry, storage, two meeting rooms, and office space, along with two parking areas providing a total of 26 spaces. This Request for Expression of Interest, identified as RFEIHAFE-001-2026, is not a solicitation for award but a preliminary effort to gauge interest from educational institutions, government entities, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations. Submissions must demonstrate compatibility with the NPS mission, experience in rehabilitating historic structures, financial viability, and a proposal that enhances public access and environmental sustainability while preserving the building’s historic integrity. All proposed uses must comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, the National Environmental Policy Act, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, requiring consultation with preservation authorities and mitigation of impacts on cultural resources. Respondents are required to submit a cover letter, detailed use description, land assignment map, financial and business management summary, and any additional supporting information, all electronically by the August 30, 2026 deadline to NPSNCRLeasing@nps.gov. Proposals must include a conceptual vision for the facility, whether as a hostel, educational center, office space, or similar public-facing use, and must demonstrate the ability to fund and maintain all systems, including HVAC, roofing, and plumbing, through routine, cyclic, and preventative care. While no lease terms, rental rates, or contract value are specified, financial proposals must reflect fair market value rent and a clear return on investment. The NPS retains the right to use all submitted information without obligation to award, and all materials are subject to public disclosure under FOIA with limited protection for properly marked proprietary content. No formal contract clauses, evaluation weights, payment details, or invoicing systems are embedded in the request, as this document serves only to explore potential partnerships aligned with historic preservation and public benefit.