Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA)
MEDA in partnership with the Invest In Neighborhoods Initiative within the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, is seeking to identify interested contractors with commercial real estate experience to provide lease negotiation assistance, marketing of vacant spaces and business attraction and relocation services for businesses located or seeking to locate within the Mission District with a strong focus along Mission and 24th Streets. Based on the submissions, those who meet the qualifications may be called upon to be interviewed by a selection committee representing various neighborhood organizations that will evaluate submissions and make a recommendation.
MEDA is a nonprofit organization with 48 years of experience serving San Francisco’s low- and moderate-income, Latino, and Spanish-speaking immigrant communities through services that build assets and create family economic success. Rooted in the Mission and focused on San Francisco, MEDA’s mission is to strengthen low- and moderate-income Latino families by promoting economic equity and social justice through asset building and community development.
Invest In Neighborhoods Office of Economic and Workforce Development
The Invest In Neighborhoods Initiative provides focused, customized assistance to meet the specific needs of San Francisco’s neighborhood commercial corridors. Invest in Neighborhoods aims to enhance and strengthen neighborhood commercial districts around the City by marshaling and deploying resources from across multiple departments and nonprofit partners.
Funding for services sought through this request are provided by a grant awarded by the City and County of San Francisco.
Project Background:
Mission Street is located within the Mission District and is a major commercial corridor. At times referred to as the “Mission Miracle Mile” it has served as a shopping destination with over 400 storefronts between Duboce and Cesar Chavez. Despite population shifts, the Mission District remains the neighborhood with the highest concentration of Latinos in the City and maintains a strong culture of neighborhood activism and has been the birthplace of historically Latino serving institutions and cultural art and events. Walking along Mission Street you will find a diverse business mix that provides neighborhood-serving goods and services, as well as restaurants and services that serve a more regional customer base.
Community partners and the City have a stabilization plan, the Mission Action Plan 2020, which includes Economic Development strategies. Per the Plan Economic Development strategies should stem the loss of and promote community businesses that serve low to moderate income households. In addition, the vision for the future of the Calle 24 Commercial Corridor is that it will be an economically vibrant community that is inclusive of diverse income households, businesses and institutions that preserve the cultural and historic integrity of the neighborhood commercial district.
Job Description:
Contractors with commercial real estate experience to provide lease negotiation assistance, marketing of vacant spaces and business attraction and relocation services for businesses located or seeking to locate within the Mission District with a strong focus along Mission Street.
General Responsibilities and Activities to Be Conducted and Addressed in Proposal Submission:
Lease Negotiation
- Assist new businesses as well as existing businesses in representing them, reviewing and negotiating leases and formulating letters of intent (LOI)
- Negotiate leasing contracts including developing LOIs, reviewing and advising on contracts
- Leverage existing programs to remove leasing barriers and incentivize business owners and property owners to agree to lease terms
- Conduct commercial rent comparisons to support lease negotiation for small businesses
Supporting Business Attraction and Viable Business Pipeline
- General understanding of land use, zoning and permitting related occupancy of commercial spaces.
- Leverage resources from community and city partners and programs to support business in securing location
- Support business attraction to fill key vacancies, as well as retention of community serving businesses
- Coordinate within OEWD, other City agencies, and grantee organizations to market vacancies to their clients who are seeking new spaces and maintain pipeline of businesses
- Manage and work on maintaining viable list of pipeline businesses in need of storefronts
- Maintain data on needs of businesses, property owners and challenges to filling vacancies
- Produce marketing materials printed and online to promote vacant spaces and support business attraction of neighborhood serving businesses to the corridor
- Understand the importance of culturally relevant business’ alignment with community
Relationship Management: Business, Property Owners/Managers, Community Partners
- Develop and manage relationships with property owners, businesses and community partners that work with small businesses and entrepreneurs.
- Leverage and increase partnerships with organizations or networks that may have a pipeline of businesses
Real Estate/Broker Activities Midterm and Final Reports
- Provide a midterm and final report of all activities performed including, milestones, accomplishments and areas of concern or modifications of approach.
- Provide real estate data such as development pipeline information, tenants in the market, and aggregate demand.
Qulifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bilingual capabilities English/Spanish
Desired Qualifications:
- Be able to read write and speak Spanish and English fluently and to edit bilingually
- Ability to work both collaboratively and independently
- Strong writing, communication and narrative skills
- Understand the nuanced issues facing Mission Street and 24th Street
- Understand land use, zoning and permitting related occupancy of commercial spaces
Additional Qualifications:
- Experience partnering with businesses, nonprofits, residents and the City to implement cultural and/or economic development strategies.
- Languages: English/Spanish/Cantonese
- Understanding of the City’s Cultural Districts relationship to business’ and community
A strong proposal shall demonstrate:
- Knowledge of economic development goals in the Mission including:
- Economic Development Strategies within the Mission Action Plan 2020 led by the Planning Department
- Calle 24 Latino Cultural District economic development goals and priorities
Please refer to referenced Mission strategies; in addition, you may refer to Mission District Economic Development Reports links on our website: https://oewd.org/reports-and-plans
Contract Term and Amount:
This is a contract position, for a period of about 8 months with the potential to renew based on available funding. It is estimated to be between 20-25 hours a week, with outcomes focused on clients served.
The dollar amount contracted up to $81.73 an hour for a max of FORTY-TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED Dollars for a 6-month period ($42,500.00); depending on qualifications.
The contractor’s scope of work will be under the supervision of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development and work in collaboration with Calle 24 Latino Cultural District.
Contractor’s compensation will be administered by Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA).
Submission Requirements Check List:
All submissions need to be typed in 11 sized font, have completed the following list below and emailed in one pdf file.
- Statement of interest 1 page max;
- A resume outlining the respondent’s experience relevant to the project 1-2 pages;
- Three professional references;
- One Commercial Lease Letter of Intent sample
- Response to all questions listed below maximum 3 pages in total;
Questions to be Included in Response:
- Describe recruitment methods for attracting neighborhood serving businesses
- Describe accomplishments and successes in supporting small businesses within the Mission District
- Describe research and sources of information to be used to ensure that negotiated rents are reasonable
- Describe your knowledge of challenges and opportunities in leasing spaces for small businesses in the Mission
- Describe your knowledge related to land use and business permitting
Closing Date: Wednesday January 19th by 5pm. Documents received after this date and time will not be considered.
Email: Rafael Moreno rafael.r.moreno@sfgov.org
