New Hanover County is embarking on the first phase of seeking proposals for a major downtown redevelopment project.

The county released Monday a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to interested project teams for Project Grace, which is the name of the potential redevelopment of the 3-acre county-owned block in downtown Wilmington that includes the main branch of the public library. The block is bordered by Grace, Third, Chestnut, and Second streets and also includes a parking deck and several underused surface parking lots. 

RFQ submissions for Project Grace are due June 15. 

"Based on qualifications, the top qualified firms will be invited to submit a full development proposal by December 2018. At that time, a thorough review, including public input, will take place," a county news release stated.

In October 2017, after a feasibility study, consultant research and public input, the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners decided to explore the option of entering into a public-private partnership for the redevelopment of the downtown block.

The board has outlined priorities for the project, meaning project team proposals must capture the full market potential of the site, include a modern public library and Cape Fear Museum of History and Science on the block, provide usable green space, include a pedestrian-friendly design and accommodate traffic and bus transportation and have sufficient parking for both public and private uses, according to the release.

Currently, Cape Fear Museum is located at 814 Market St.

The museum's building was originally designed as an armory, and although it has been repurposed, it "lacks the ability to accommodate many traveling exhibits due to ceiling heights and room sizes. It is also an aging structure and will need capital investments to ensure functionality. Its current size is 38,420 square feet and if it is moved and redeveloped, the proposed size would be 40,000 square feet," said County Manager Chris Coudriet in an explanation of Project Grace on the county's website last year.

According to Monday's release, the county will conduct a separate study to determine the future use of the existing Cape Fear Museum site, but that study is not part of the Project Grace RFQ.

The Project Grace release stated that the design of the project must complement surrounding buildings and not exceed the city of Wilmington’s height limit for the block. Current library services would also need to be maintained in downtown Wilmington should a construction or renovation project take place, the release said.

“New Hanover County is issuing a RFQ as a first step in the proposal process to ensure we have the most qualified project teams for this potential public-private partnership,” Coudriet said in the release. “The commissioners outlined a clear vision for this downtown block, and we are eager to see the creativity and innovation that the private sector will bring to this project.”