Request for Qualifications

Trinity Park Conservancy Issues Request for Qualifications: 106 W Commerce Street Architectural Services

Submittals of the RFQ are due by Thursday, July 23 at 11:59 PM CST. 

DALLAS – Trinity Park Conservancy (Conservancy) is seeking a visionary architect to help reimagine the former Jesse R. Dawson State Jail at 106 West Commerce Street in relation to Harold Simmons Park (Park). The 10-floor, 238,000 sq.ft. structure is located at the juncture of the Trinity River’s east levee and the Park’s central axis at Commerce Street, with unparalleled proximity to the river and levee-top. Situated within the Park’s east overlook, the building will serve as a visual anchor and hub for the Park and its surrounding neighborhoods.

The future of 106 W Commerce will be informed by multiple factors, including the relationship to the Park, community aspirations, and technical and financial feasibility. In addition to Park-supportive (both operationally and public-facing spaces) and civic space, the building may include commercial and/or residential uses. The selected firm will work closely with Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA), the landscape architect of the Park. 

“The Conservancy purchased the former Jesse R. Dawson State Jail in 2019 as part of the vision for a great Park that contributes to a greater city,” says Walter Elcock, Interim CEO of the Conservancy. “The transformation of 106 W Commerce is a significant undertaking that will require multiple partners and disciplines and we look forward to going through this robust selection process.”

This RFQ process is open to any qualified firm, and the Conservancy encourages firms from around the country and locally to respond. The full RFQ with context, scope of services, selection criteria, timeline and submission criteria/process can be found here.

Submittals of the RFQ are due by Thursday, July 23. Any and all questions regarding this RFQ should be submitted by email to: [email protected] no later than July 15 at 12:00 PM CST.