INTRODUCTION  
The Town of Plainfield partnering with Visit Hendricks County (VHC) is seeking a qualified 
consulting team to develop a Hospitality District Vision and Implementation Strategy for the 
Quaker Boulevard / I-70 corridor. We are particularly interested in firms that can integrate 
hospitality economics with placemaking strategies, including district identity, branding, 
activation, entertainment programming, public realm design, and experiential amenities, into a 
cohesive and implementable district strategy. The plan should be actionable and 
implementation-focused, directly guiding future public and private investment decisions within 
the corridor. The resulting plan should serve as the Town's long-term development framework 
for one of Plainfield's most significant gateway districts, guiding land use, public investment, 
private development, placemaking, district identity, and implementation over the next 5-10 
years. 

PROJECT GOALS 
The Hospitality District Strategy shall: 

• Establish a clear vision for a cohesive hospitality and mixed-use district 
• Strengthening Plainfield’s position as a regional visitor destination 
• Identify opportunities to enhance overnight visitation and visitor spending 
• Support attraction of higher-quality hospitality and complementary uses 
• Provide an implementation roadmap with phasing and delivery tools 
• Establish a distinct district identity that differentiates the corridor within Central Indiana  
• Identify catalytic projects and opportunity sites that maximize long-term economic impact 
• Develop a coordinated long-term development framework that guides future land use in accordance with the Thrive Comprehensive Plan, public investment, and private development. 

PROCESS AND TIMELINE 
Release RFP  
July 20, 2026  
Deadline for written questions at 5:00 pm  
August 10, 2026  
Response to written questions at 5:00 pm  
August 14, 2026  
Proposals Due by 5:00 pm  
August 21, 2026  
Evaluation of Proposals and Interviews  
August 24 – September 14, 2026 
Contract inception  
September/October 2026  
Final report   
April 2027  

STUDY AREA 
The study area includes the Quaker Boulevard / I-70 interchange and surrounding parcels that 
influence. The consultant should evaluate how the study area functions as an interstate gateway, 
employment corridor, regional destination, and development district while considering its 
relationship to surrounding employment centers, recreation assets, the Indianapolis 
International Airport, AmeriPlex, MADE@Plainfield and the greater Central Indiana region. 
 

SCOPE OF WORK  
A. Market and Economic Conditions Analysis 

• Assess regional and local hospitality market conditions 
• Evaluate lodging supply, demand drivers, and performance trends 
• Review competitive set and submarket positioning within the region 
• Identify demand generators including employment, events, and pass-through travel 
• Evaluate opportunities and constraints for future hospitality and supporting uses 
• Assess the district's highest and best long-term role within Plainfield and Central Indiana.  
• Identify the district's competitive advantages and long-term market opportunities.  
• Define target user groups current and expected including travelers, residents, employers, visitors, and event attendees 
• Evaluate how the district complements and differentiates itself from competing hospitality corridors throughout Central Indiana.  
• Identify opportunities to leverage regional assets including Indianapolis International Airport, MADE@Plainfield, AmeriPlex, employment centers, tourism, trail systems, and transportation networks. 

B. Hospitality Strategy and Market Positioning 

• Define optimal lodging mix for the study area (e.g., select-service, extended stay, upscale, boutique potential) 
• Evaluate supporting uses including food & beverage, entertainment, and mixed use opportunities 
• Identify positioning strategies relative to competing regional corridors 
• Provide guidance on development typologies aligned with market demand and site conditions 

C. Hospitality Development Conditions 

• Evaluate feasibility conditions for future hospitality development 
• Assess market gaps in product type, service level, and visitor experience offerings 
• Analyze absorption conditions, timing considerations, and development readiness factors 
• Identify characteristics of successful hospitality investment in comparable markets 
• Provide findings to support informed planning and economic development decision-making 
• Note: This analysis is intended to support market understanding and planning. It is not intended to evaluate, recommend, or influence pricing or operational decisions of private hospitality operators. 

D. Land Use and Development Framework 

• Document existing land use, ownership patterns, and development constraints 
• Identify strategic assemblage and redevelopment opportunities 
• Develop an illustrative land use concept plan for hospitality, commercial, and mixed-use development 
• Evaluate development scenarios and tradeoffs 
• Develop a comprehensive district framework illustrating preferred development character, activity nodes, redevelopment patterns. streetscape connectivity, and long-term 
• Evaluate opportunity sites based upon redevelopment readiness, ownership, market potential, and public investment needs. 

E. Gateway and Placemaking Strategy 

• Define placemaking and design principles including branding, signage, lighting, and public realm improvements 
• Identify opportunities for activation, public space, and experiential enhancements 
• Establish a framework for long-term district identity and maintenance considerations 
• Create an arrival sequence strategy that establishes a memorable gateway experience 
• Recommend public realm improvements that support walkability, connectivity, and activation 
• Develop a unified district identity including branding, gateway treatments, signage, streetscape and wayfinding 

F. Implementation Strategy 

• Develop a phased implementation plan with priority sites 
• Identify public-private partnership opportunities and delivery mechanisms 
• Evaluate potential incentive tools and funding strategies 
• Provide targeted recommendations for developer and operator engagement 
• Deliver a clear, actionable roadmap for execution 
• Identify 8–15 catalytic public and private development projects.  
• Prioritize opportunity sites by implementation readiness.  
• Recommend governance and long-term district management options.  
• Define measurable implementation metrics and success indicators.  
• Establish short-, mid-, and long-term implementation priorities. 
• Develop an overall district positioning strategy that supports long-term economic development objectives. 
• Identify the conditions necessary for catalytic private investment.  
• Evaluate barriers limiting redevelopment and investment.  
• Recommend development principles that should guide future investment decisions. 

G. Stakeholder Engagement 

• Coordinate engagement with key stakeholders, including: 
  • Town of Plainfield 
  • Visit Hendricks County 
  • Property owners 
  • Development community 
  • Relevant commercial and institutional stakeholders 
• Support alignment on vision, priorities, and implementation direction 
   

DELIVERABLES 
The selected consultant team shall provide: 

• Existing Conditions and Market Analysis Report 
• Hospitality Strategy and Market Positioning Framework 
• Land Use and Conceptual Development Plan 
• Gateway and Placemaking Framework 
• Executive Presentation Materials 
• Priority Development Opportunities 
• Implementation, Funding, and Phasing Strategy 
• Final Hospitality District Vision & Implementation Strategy (including Executive 
• Summary) 
   

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS 
Proposals shall include: 

• Relevant project experience, including: 
  • Hospitality district planning  
  • Mixed-use development  
  • Hospitality economics  
  • Market and economic analysis  
  • Urban planning  
  • Economic development  
  • Placemaking and public realm design  
  • Branding and district identity  
• Implementation strategy 
• Public engagement processes 
• Project team structure and roles 
• Implementation strategy 
• Proposed schedule 
• Fee proposal 
• References 
   

EVALUTAION CRITERIA 

To see the list of evalutation criteria please View the Full Request for Proposal Here

CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION 
Applicants are advised that materials contained in RFP proposals are subject to the Access to 
Public Records Act (APRA), IC 5-14-3 et seq. To the extent feasible and permissible by law, the 
Town will honor an Applicant’s request that confidential information submitted to Town will 
remain confidential, as an application submitted under IC 5-28-16. It is further advised that the 
RFP proposal identify, mark and segregate into a separate appendix protected confidential 
information such as trade secrets or privileged or confidential commercial or financial 
information or other confidential information. The Town must disclose information required to 
be disclosed by law, as determined by the Town or the Public Access Counselor, or by judicial 
order. If the RFP application results in purchase investments, the honoring of confidentiality of 
identified data shall not limit the right of the Town to disclose the details and results of the 
award to the general public, and any investment documentation may be subject to public 
disclosure. 
 

SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS  
Please send proposals to:   
Alyssa Woolard  
Director of Economic Development 
Development Services Group  
206 W. Main St.  
Plainfield, IN 46168  
Awoolard@townofplainfield.com 
Proposals must be received by 5:00 PM EST Friday August 21st, 2026.   Submissions received 
after the deadline may not be considered.   

Respondents are hereby made aware of the following notices:  

1. The Town of Plainfield and VHC reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.  
2. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this document or in any addendums to this document, unless the contrary provision refers specifically to this provision, the Town of Plainfield and VHC reserves the right to negotiate changes of any nature with any applicant with respect to any term, condition, or provision in this document and/or in any proposals, whether or not something is stated to be mandatory and whether or not it is said that a proposal will be rejected if certain information or documentation is not submitted with it.  

All deadlines are for the administrative convenience or needs of the Town and may be waived 
by the Town in its discretion. Once an agreement is signed, the parties to the agreement may 
enforce the agreement according to its terms as allowed by applicable law.