January 20, 2012 – The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (CZA) has issued a Request for Proposal for Hotel Developers who are interested in the opportunity to develop, manage, and own a full-service hotel to be located on the CZA Powell, Ohio acreage.
 
The CZA would propose participating in this arrangement by providing land (while retaining land ownership) and access to utilities within the 585-acre Zoo grounds for the hotel development.  Additionally, partnership with the CZA would provide the recognition and branding associated with both a highly popular regional experience destination as well as with Jack Hanna, an internationally recognized wild animal expert and celebrity.  Finally, the CZA partnership offers access to its three-park (Zoo, Golf Course, Water Park) annual attendance of 2.5 million visitors.
 
In preparation for this RFP, the CZA retained Hotel & Leisure Advisors, LLC with the express purpose of preparing a Market Feasibility Study Report for the Proposed Hotel at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.  As a result of this report, dated June 26, 2009, some program recommendations were established, including a 175-room, resort-style facility along with conference capabilities, food and beverage offerings and other amenities.  Additionally, an Economic Impacts Study, submitted to the CZA on August 13, 2010 by Development Economics, was procured to further analyze the feasibility of a hotel complex. 

The complete Request for Proposal document is available for download at the links below.  Password for all documents is “zoo.”

http://www.sendspace.com/file/hmu9d6   - RFP

http://www.sendspace.com/file/vy3iz7      - Attachment #1 – Feasibility Study

http://www.sendspace.com/file/63tg94     - Attachment #2 – Economic Impact Study

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ewrgem   - Attachments 3-7

Proposers shall identify their potential interest in submitting a proposal by Friday, February 10, 2012.  Proposals shall be submitted on or before 12:00 noon, Monday, February 27, 2012.  Details outlined in the Request for Proposal.