HomeMy WebLinkAboutResponse to RFP - June 18, 2007SOLARIS PROPERTY OWNER, LLC
Attn: Reed Weily
2211 North Frontage Road, Suite A
Vail, Colorado 81657
June 18, 2007
BY HAND DELIVERY AND E -MAIL
Stanley Zemler
Vail Reinvestment Authority
75 Frontage Road
Vail, Colorado 81657
Re: Request for Proposals ( "RFP ") with a Required Response Date of June 18, 2007, issued
by the Vail Reinvestment Authority (the "Authority ") for Purchase of the "Crossroads
Property"
Dear Stan:
This correspondence constitutes the required transmittal letter for and submission of a
proposal (this "RFP Proposal ") by Solaris Property Owner, LLC ( "Solaris "), as a "Respondent"
pursuant to the RFP, to acquire and redevelop the Crossroads Property for the "Project" as
defined in the RFP (and sometimes referred to herein as the "Crossroads Project "). Solaris and
certain affiliated or related parties, namely Crossroads East One, LLC; Crossroads West One,
LLC; Crossroads 2E, LLC; Knobel Children's Investment Trust; and Spraddle Creek, LLC
(collectively, the "Solaris Affiliates "), were collectively the owners of the Crossroads Property
when it was acquired by the Authority in condemnation proceedings (District Court, Eagle
County, Colorado, Case Number 2007CV143, Division 2). Solaris plans to develop the Project
in accordance with the governing development approvals that Solaris has obtained from the
Town of Vail, including Special Development District No. 39 and Town of Vail Ordinance
No. 5, Series of 2006. This RFP Proposal addresses the "Qualification Conditions" in the RFP
and Solaris' satisfaction thereof.
First Oualification Condition (first bullet point in paragraph 3 of the RFP): "The
Respondent (by itself or together with its affiliates) must have first -class experience and
expertise in developing and operating premier hotel/lodging accommodations and real
estate developments in the State of Colorado, and preferably in the Vail Valley."
The Respondent's property manager, Gemini Resorts Management, LLC ( "Gemini "), has
over thirty years of experience in developing and operating premier hotel /lodging
accommodations in Vail, Colorado. Gemini currently manages the Vail Mountain Lodge and
Spa and the Lodge Tower at the Lodge at Vail. Gemini also managed the development,
Stanley Zemler
June 18, 2007
Page 2
construction, marketing and sale of "The Residences at the Vail Mountain Lodge and Spa," a
fractional residence club located in Vail Village. Further, through its affiliates, the Respondent
has designed, built, marketed and sold over $25 million in private residences in the Vail Valley.
Solaris also contends that its extensive, singular experience with the Crossroads Project
to date gives it a unique advantage for proceeding with and prosecuting the Crossroads Project.
To date, Solaris and Solaris Affiliates have expended over $8 million in architectural,
engineering, legal and other consulting fees for the Crossroads Project. No other developer can
pretend to have anywhere near the same working knowledge and understanding of the
Crossroads Project as Solaris.
Second Qualification Condition (second bullet point in paragraph 3 of the RFP):
"The Respondent and/or its affiliates maintain significant business ties in the Town of Vail,
including an active ongoing business including real property ownership, development
and/or management, and owns other development projects or sites within the Town."
The Respondent's property management affiliates, including, without limitation, Vail
PBK, LLC, own and manage over 30 private residences valued at over $15 million in the Town
of Vail. These properties generate over $700,000 in annual revenue. In addition, the
Respondent's affiliates own a number of redevelopment sites in the Town of Vail.
Third Qualification Condition (third bullet point in paragraph 3 of the RFP): Not
Applicable.
Under the RFP, Solaris, as a Respondent, will receive full credit against the required
"Purchase Price" (as defined in the RFP) for the Crossroads Property, to be not less than
$160,000,000. If the Authority selects another party as the successful Respondent to the RFP,
then the Purchase Price paid by that successful Respondent must be immediately paid to Solaris.
The Solaris Affiliates acknowledge and confirm, by their execution of this RFP Proposal, that
they have sold, assigned and conveyed to Solaris all of their right, title and interest in and to the
Purchase Price credit, any Purchase Price paid by a third -party Respondent, and any other
proceeds or economic benefits derived or to be derived from the Authority's condemnation of the
Crossroads Property.
As required by the terms of the RFP, Solaris is enclosing 15 copies of this proposal by
hand delivery. Solaris looks forward to the completion of the RFP process.
[Signature block of Solaris Property Owner, LLC, follows on next page.]
c
Stanley Zemler
June 18, 2007
Page 3
Very truly yours,
SOLARIS PROPERTY OWNER, LLC
By:
Name: eed ei ry
Title: Authorized Agent
[Signature blocks of Solaris Affiliates follow on next page.]
c
Stanley Zemler
June 18, 2007
Page 4
The Solaris Affiliates join in this response solely for purposes of confirming the sale, assignment
and conveyance to Solaris of all condemnation interests as set forth in this RFP Proposal.
CROSSROADS EAST ONE, LLC
B
N* . K nobel
Title: Authorized Agent
CROSSROADS 2E, LLC
N eter B. Knobel
Title: Authorized Agent
KNOBEL CHILDREN'S INVESTMENT 1996
B kPeter
NKnobel
Title: Trustee
SPRADDLE CREEK, LLC
m ter B. Knobel
Title: Authorized Agent