Event Operator Services for 1680 Lexington Avenue Event Space RFP

New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) invites qualified nonprofit organizations and cultural operators to submit proposals (“Request for Proposals: or “RFP”) for the operation, management, and programming of the event and theater space (approximately 8,283 square feet) located at 1680 Lexington Avenue (106th Street), Manhattan, New York (the "Event Space"), as more particularly described herein and in the RFP. NYCEDC anticipates that the services will include all aspects of event space activation, community engagement, programming, and financial management of the Event Space.

NYCEDC is engaged in strengthening arts, culture, and civic life in East Harlem and upper Manhattan. The Event Space at 1680 Lexington Avenue — a landmarked, five-story building constructed in 1879 and home to longstanding cultural tenants including Taller Boricua, Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, and Los Pleneros de la 21 — serves as a critical community anchor for the surrounding neighborhood. NYCEDC believes no community should lack access to high-quality cultural programming and civic space, and is accordingly seeking to identify a mission-aligned Event Space Operator (the "Selected Operator") to activate the Event Space through sustained, community-driven programming, deep local stakeholder engagement, and sound financial management. NYCEDC seeks an Operator capable of developing and executing a culturally resonant programming calendar, establishing a financially sustainable operating model, and coordinating seamlessly with NYCEDC throughout a multi-phase $10.3 million capital improvement program commencing June 2026.

NYCEDC plans to select an Event Space Operator on the basis of factors stated in the RFP, which include, but are not limited to: the completeness and quality of the overall response and its consistency with the RFP's stated goals; the respondent's readiness and demonstrated vision for activating and programming the Event Space in alignment with the cultural and community mission of 1680 Lexington Avenue; the respondent's financial capacity and financial impact, including current financial health, ability to secure earned revenue and philanthropic funding, and long-term viability of operations through the multi-phase $10.3 million capital improvement program; and the respondent's demonstrated experience operating nonprofit cultural or community spaces, engaging local communities, and providing culturally relevant programming reflective of East Harlem and upper Manhattan.

Optional Informational Session

An optional informational session will be held on Monday, July 6, 2026 at 10 A.M. at 1680 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10029. Those who wish to attend should RSVP by using the RSVP web form available here on or before June 29, 2026.

Inquiries

Respondents may submit questions and/or request clarifications from NYCEDC no later than 5pm on Friday, July 17, 2026. Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFP should be directed to the Q&A web form available here. Answers to all questions will be posted by Thursday, July 30, 2026. Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFP will not be accepted after 5pm on Friday, July 17, 2026, however, technical questions pertaining to downloading and submitting proposals to this RFP may be directed to [email protected] on or before 4PM on Friday, August 7, 2026.

Submission Guidelines

Detailed submission guidelines and requirements are outlined in the RFP, available as of June 17, 2026.

Please submit your response via electronic upload by clicking here and uploading your proposal.

Responses are due no later than August 7, 2026 at 4:00 PM. Please submit all documents in a single .zip file labeled with your company name. The Chrome Browser is the preferred method for uploading.

M/WBE

It is the policy of NYCEDC to comply with all federal, state and City laws and regulations which prohibit unlawful discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status and other protected category and to take affirmative action in working with contracting parties to ensure certified Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) share in the economic opportunities generated by NYCEDC’s projects and initiatives. Please refer to the Equal Employment and Affirmative Compliance for Non-Construction Contracts Appendix 8 of the RFP.

This project has Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise (“M/WBE”) participation goals, and all respondents will be required to submit an M/WBE Participation Proposal with their response. To learn more about NYCEDC’s M/WBE program, visit http://edc.nyc/opportunity-mwdbe. For the list of companies who have been certified with the New York City Department of Small Business Services as M/WBE, please go to the https://sbsconnect.nyc.gov/certification-directory-search/.

NYCEDC established the Contract Financing Loan Fund programs for Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (M/W/DBE) interested in working on public construction projects. Contract Financing Loan Fund facilitates financing for short-term mobilization needs such as insurance, labor, supplies and equipment. Bidders/subcontractors are strongly encouraged to visit the NYCEDC website at http://edc.nyc/opportunity-mwdbe to learn more about the program.