Reimagining Heck Chapel, E. Broad Street & Courthouse / Jail

Project overview

The Griffin Downtown Development Authority is seeking proposals from qualified developers, investors, and teams that will help us reimagine the former Heck Chapel, Courthouse / Jail, and surrounding E. Broad Street environment in Griffin, Georgia.

With the development of the Courtyard by Marriott next to the Historic City Hall (HCH) property, we have the opportunity to also partner with a first-class development team to come up with a quality project that will accentuate the architectural aesthetics of the area and add to the positive quality of life for Griffin residents.

We welcome strong proposals to help us consider the possibilities to help transform the E. Broad Street area.

Site context and goals

The project area is the north side of a downtown city block along East Broad Street, with the former Heck Chapel at the northwest corner, the Historic Courthouse / Jail at the northeast corner, and several vacant lots between them. Historic City Hall, renovated about ten years ago, sits at the southwest corner, and a new Courtyard by Marriott is planned for the southeast corner, with groundbreaking targeted for summer 2027.

Heck Chapel, a landmark Gothic Revival structure built in 1880, anchors the streetscape and deserves adaptive reuse that honors its heritage. The Historic Courthouse / Jail, the original Spalding County Courthouse, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and its two-story steel jail cells are still intact. An emphasis should be placed on preserving the historical aspects of both properties.

The DDA is looking for a comprehensive plan for the block that complements the buildings remaining or planned there, with commercial, retail, potential residential, or other uses that are active, open to the public, and encourage pedestrian activity. The environmental and structural reports for Heck Chapel and the Historic Courthouse / Jail, available below, warrant careful review.

Property summary

The project includes four separate but adjacent properties (five parcels) facing E. Broad Street, all owned by the Downtown Development Authority. Acreage is approximate.

The City of Griffin is working to acquire the adjacent parcel with the block building (014 35004) for public parking, which can be combined with the neighboring vacant lot if additional parking is needed. The properties will be sold as is, with closing within 60 days of a binding agreement. Construction must begin within 12 months and be completed within 30 months of closing.

Submission instructions

Information to consider for a proposal

Please review the full RFP below for detailed proposal requirements and scoring criteria. Proposals should address:

1. Which part(s) of the project you propose for your development: Heck Chapel, Vacant Lot 1, Vacant Lot 2, Courthouse / Jail, multiple parcels, or all parcels.
2. The best development team for this project, including prior experience on similar projects, credentials, and successes.
3. Proposed use(s) and concepts for redeveloping the Heck Chapel, Courthouse / Jail, and E. Broad Street properties.
4. Proposed purchase price(s) for the parcels for your project(s), and how you will fund the purchase.
5. A realistic schedule from start to finish for the project(s) with important milestones.
6. A very detailed budget for the project(s), how it will be funded, and proof of the financial wherewithal to complete it within the scheduled timeline.
7. Drawings and renderings of the finished exterior and interior, and how the project will be depicted on a site plan.
8. How the project(s) will add to the area aesthetically and accentuate the architecture of Historic City Hall and the proposed Courtyard by Marriott.
9. How the project(s) will add to the quality of life for Griffin residents and neighboring land uses, including the Courtyard by Marriott.
10. Any assistance from the City of Griffin, the Downtown Development Authority, the Urban Redevelopment Authority, DCA, or others needed to make the project work.
11. Careful review of the environmental and structural reports for Heck Chapel and the Historic Courthouse / Jail.
12. Preservation of the historical aspects of the Historic Courthouse / Jail, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, and Heck Chapel.

How to submit

After downloading the RFP, email jstratton@cityofgriffin.com with your company's name and details to register. Registered respondents will receive any addenda issued during the RFP. Questions must be submitted by email by the end of the day on November 12, 2026.

Deliver six (6) hard copies and one electronic copy (PDF) of your proposal in a sealed package clearly marked "Griffin DDA - Broad Street Properties - Redevelopment Opportunities Proposal." Proposals will be opened in public at the December 8, 2026 DDA meeting at Elmer George Municipal Hall, 100 S. Hill Street, Griffin.