Request for Proposals for the Lease or Purchase of the Coffin Elementary School

The Town of Marblehead is soliciting proposals for the lease or purchase of the former Coffin Elementary School, located at 1 Turner Road. The property, which has been vacant since 2021, is being offered for either a fee simple purchase or a long-term ground lease of up to 99 years. The Town's primary objective is to maximize the property's value while advancing public interests, specifically seeking redevelopment for housing purposes. Preferred proposals will include affordable, senior, veteran, workforce, or Marblehead resident housing options. Proposals will be evaluated holistically based on alignment with Town goals, the qualifications and financial capacity of the development team, public benefit, and consistency with the Town's Net Zero by 2040 goal regarding energy efficiency and climate resiliency. Interested parties must submit one unbound original and six bound copies of their proposal by 10:00 AM on October 19, 2026, to the Town Administrator's Office. Submissions must include a detailed project description, architectural plans, a financial proforma, and a project timeline. A mandatory proposal security deposit of ten percent of the proposed total value, provided via certified check, cashier's check, or bid bond, is required. The selected respondent will be granted exclusive rights to negotiate a binding agreement, such as a Purchase and Sale Agreement or Master Ground Lease, within 90 calendar days of the award. This final agreement will incorporate a Land Disposition Agreement to govern construction milestones and design standards, and will be subject to standard Massachusetts municipal conveyancing provisions, including as-is releases and Chapter 21E environmental liability protections.