Seeking a Donor & Operator for the FLCC Culinary Arts Center of Excellence

Summary (Newest Update)

Background The County of Ontario, a municipal entity in New York, along with Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC), is seeking proposals for a donor and operator for the FLCC Culinary Arts Center of Excellence. The goal is to finance, design, develop, and operate a new facility that will support FLCC's culinary program and provide opportunities for students to gain practical experience. The existing partnership with New York Kitchen (NYK) is crucial as they currently provide kitchen space for FLCC's culinary classes. However, NYK plans to sell their facility, prompting the need for a new location that meets the educational needs of FLCC's culinary program. Work Details The project involves constructing a new pre-engineered single-story building of approximately 19,287 square feet that includes: 1. A demonstration theater 2. Two hands-on teaching kitchens 3. A preparation kitchen 4. Beverage tasting space 5. Retail space 6. Mechanical/utility spaces 7. Delivery dock 8. Administrative offices and conferencing space 9. Storage and support spaces 10. Open gathering space 11. Outdoor patio 12. Toilet room facilities 13. Various site improvements. The facility must accommodate shared use by FLCC and a partner tenant while ensuring that at least 51% of the total program space is dedicated to FLCC’s culinary program to qualify for state funding. The proposal should include details on the site location, environmental assessments, project descriptions (new build or remodel), operating partners, architectural and engineering consultants, construction management firms, and any proposed donations. Period of Performance The anticipated timeline includes proposal submissions due by March 20, 2026; construction start target by July 1, 2026; and substantial completion target by August 1, 2027. Place of Performance The preferred location for the new facility is within 2 miles of the FLCC main campus at 3325 Marvin Sands Drive, Canandaigua, NY. Bidder Requirements Proposals must include proof of insurance as per County requirements, qualifications of the proposed project team including architects and construction managers, detailed descriptions of the donor organization’s financial capabilities, and compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws regarding employment standards.