The Smithsonian Institution (Washington, US) will soon launch a competitive procurement to select a development partner to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the National Zoological Park’s new Central Parking Facility (CPF) under the terms of an anticipated public-private-partnership agreement.

In accordance with its National Zoological Park’s (NZP) 2008 Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan, the Smithsonian seeks to consolidate and expand current parking facilities into a multi-story Central Parking Facility in order to enhance safety, security and service levels, providing visitors with a centralized, accessible and modern access point. This parking consolidation will also allow the NZP to reclaim acreage for the purpose of expanding animal habitats. 

The CPF will be comprised of an approximately 1300 space parking structure, a new pedestrian access bridge that provides a mid-zoo entry point, drop-off and turn-around access for buses, and ancillary works. The CPF is intended to be a landmark site, characterized by architectural excellence and aesthetics aligned with NZP’s central mission. NZP anticipates that the CPF will be designed, constructed and operated in compliance with “Green Garage” standards and will integrate best-in-class technologies to optimize visitor experience and traffic flow. 

As currently envisioned, the selected developer will be required to design, build, and finance the CPF, as well as to operate and maintain the NZP parking facilities under a long-term concession. In partial consideration for these rights, the developer will pay the Smithsonian a fixed and/or variable annual concession fee.

A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is expected to be issued in the coming weeks as part of a two-phase selection procedure.