RFQ Affordable Housing Developer 9% LIHTC & mixed income, mixed use, development Addendum 1
ADDENDUM #1 to SoNo Train Station Co-Developer Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
Addendum Date: 10/29/2025
RFQ Submission Deadline: 11/7/2025 at 5:00PM EST
To all applicants of record:
This addendum is issued to clarify, add, delete, correct and/or change the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) documents issued on 10/3/2025 and is hereby made a part of the RFQ documents on which the contract will be based. It is the responsibility of all Respondents to conform to this addendum.
Question 1. Does Sound Communities have any title or survey information related to the site that could be made available to RFQ respondents? Other than the easement related to State Street that is noted in the RFQ, are there any known title or survey issues of which RFQ respondents should be aware, particularly with the MTA, SNEW, and/or the City of Norwalk/Parking Authority?
Sound Communities Response:
We are in the process of obtaining a title search report and an updated survey but will not have these materials available before the RFQ deadline. Enclosed in this addendum are the only property surveys Sound Communities currently has. At this time, we are only aware of the easement related to State Street.
Question 2. What parking ratio (if any) did the yield study that Sound Communities commissioned ( referenced in the RFQ) assume?
Sound Communities Response:
The yield studies commissioned to date considered parking ratios of 1:1 and 1:1.3. In addition to tenant parking, the design must consider Norwalk Housing Authority staff and visitor parking. The City of Norwalk has been supportive of low parking ratios in TOD area. No final decisions have been made.
Question 3. Does NHA/Sound have environmental assessments on the current buildings or a sense of any RECs, lead-based paint, or ACMs at the site that will need to be remediated?
Sound Communities Response:
Full environmental assessments will be commissioned. Based on the building ages, at a minimum, we expect to find ACM's and lead based paint in the existing structures. Sound has previously been successful in securing Brownfield funds from the Department of Economic and Community Development to cover 100% of remediation, abatement, and demolition costs. The plan would be to apply for these funds here if eligible.
Question 4. For projects undertaken through a co-developer relationship (or a joint venture structure) between Sound Communities and a co-developer partner, would Sound Communities' procurement requirements apply to consultant and contractor selections made by the JV or its co-developer partner?
We are seeking to clarify that either through the co-developer structure or if/when a JV is formed, consultant and contractor engagement would follow the co-developer and Sound Communities agreed-upon procedures (in addition to any financing requirements), allowing the co-developer partner to utilize its established selection processes and long-standing consultant relationships, subject to Sound Communities' review and approval as appropriate. We believe that this approach would support project quality and efficiency, draw on trusted teams with years of proven collaboration, and help reduce execution risk. Could you please confirm whether this understanding aligns with Sound Communities' procurement e expectations?
Sound Communities Response:
This is open for discussion as long as all relevant procurement guidelines are met, and Sound Communities is entirely involved in review and approval of subcontractors, as noted in the question. We understand that the co-developer may be able to recommend consultants from past projects, and those relationships can be valuable to the project. This will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for each consultant needed.
Question 5. What is the expected timeline for NHA/Sound to select a partner?
Sound Communities Response:
Sound anticipates interviewing the top-scoring responders during the month of November so that a decision can be made at the December 11, 2025, Norwalk Housing Authority Board of Commissioners meeting. Should there be a change in schedule, Sound Communities will notify all RFQ responders.
RFQ Submission date of Friday, November 7th, at 5:00PM EST., remains unchanged
END OF ADDENDUM
Sophia Stewart
Project Coordinator
Sound Communities, Inc.
24 ½ Monroe Street
Norwalk, CT 06854
SStewart@soundcommunitiesct.org