Request for Proposals released for City Hall coffee shop

Today, Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the release of a Request for Proposals for applicants interested in operating a coffee shop in the lobby of Boston City Hall this spring.   This project is part of a renovation of the lobby, which is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2017 (view schematics of the new lobby design).

"Boston City Hall oftentimes serves as a person's first face-to-face interaction with their local government, and it's important that everyone who visits our building has an enjoyable and productive experience," said Mayor Walsh. "This is a small step to activate the people's public space and will undoubtedly have a big impact that will enhance constituent interactions with their government."

In 2015, the City implemented a pilot program to determine interest and viability of a local coffee cart on the mezzanine level of Boston City Hall.  Over the last 18 months, the City experimented with three different local vendors.

Today's announcement builds on Mayor Walsh's vision for Boston City Hall to be a public place where residents, visitors, and employees may conduct necessary business in an open and welcoming space.

The RFP is open to any vendor who would like to apply, and the City encourages participation from local, minority and women-owned businesses.

The temporary installation of the coffee carts have proven to be successful for patrons and businesses. The temporary coffee carts created an opportunity for small, local businesses and provided a new destination for an activated public space in the lobby.  The mezzanine level became a node of social interaction where City workers and visitors could informally collaborate and socialize.  

This project is a collaboration between the City's Operations and Economic Development Cabinets and the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics.

Issued through the City's Property Management Department, the Request for Proposals can be found on the City of Boston's procurement website, Event # EV00003931.  Responses are due February 9, 2017.  Interested respondents are invited to tour the space with City staff on today, January 24, 2017 at 4:00 PM, and also on January 31, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.