Food Hub/Community Serving Facilities Grant Program

The City of Tucson Department of Housing and Community Development is soliciting proposals through a Request for Proposals for the development of community-serving facilities within the Thrive in the 05 neighborhood. This opportunity is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grant, which awarded the City $50 million to support a comprehensive neighborhood transformation plan. The Thrive in the 05 initiative, launched in 2018, focuses on revitalizing an area north of downtown Tucson that has experienced long-term disinvestment. Through extensive community engagement, the City developed a Transformation Plan to guide investments in housing, economic development, and community services. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to address critical gaps in food access, health services, and neighborhood amenities identified by residents and stakeholders. The City is seeking qualified organizations, including nonprofits, developers, healthcare providers, and businesses, to design, build, and operate facilities such as a Community Food Hub, a Health Station, and neighborhood-serving retail spaces. These facilities are intended to improve access to essential services, promote economic opportunity, and enhance quality of life within the target area. The City emphasizes alignment with community priorities, including food security, health access, small business development, and community cohesion. Funding for this initiative totals up to $3.5 million, which will be distributed across selected projects. Funds may be used for capital-related expenses including renovation of physical spaces, equipment purchases, interior and exterior improvements, green infrastructure, and signage. However, funding cannot be used for ongoing operational or administrative costs. Applicants must demonstrate a sustainable business model and identify long-term funding sources to support continued operations after project completion. All projects must comply with federal requirements including environmental review processes, Davis-Bacon prevailing wage standards, and the Build America Buy America Act. Eligible applicants must propose projects located within the Thrive in the 05 geographic boundary or provide a plan to secure a site within the area. A City-owned site, the Tucson House Annex, is available for consideration and will be vacated by early 2027. Applicants may propose rehabilitation or new construction at this site or propose alternative locations within the designated zone. Proposals must include detailed plans for development, programming, sustainability, and organizational capacity, along with a clear budget and implementation timeline. The submission process requires applicants to provide a comprehensive proposal of up to 12 pages addressing community need, development plans, programming and sustainability, budget, and organizational experience. Proposals must be submitted electronically via email in PDF format. A pre-proposal conference is scheduled to provide guidance and answer questions. Evaluation criteria include alignment with community needs, feasibility of the proposal and budget, organizational capability, sustainability of operations, and alignment with priority areas identified in the Transformation Plan. The application timeline begins with the release of the RFP in May 2026, with proposals due by July 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM MST. Selected applicants will be notified in July and August 2026, followed by contract execution in September 2026. Environmental review and construction timelines will vary based on project scope, with project completion and grand opening dates to be determined. This is a one-time funding opportunity tied to the current implementation of the Choice Neighborhoods grant, and applicants are encouraged to submit early to ensure consideration.

Align proposal closely with Transformation Plan priorities; clearly demonstrate long-term sustainability; provide realistic and detailed budget; highlight relevant experience and partnerships