Tri-city mayors seek winter operator for Willand Warming Center

posted on 9/10/2024

The mayors of the Tri-Cities of Dover, Rochester, and Somersworth, in collaboration with the Strafford County Commissioners, are seeking proposals from qualified entities to operate the emergency warming center on Willand Drive in Somersworth.

The City of Rochester issued the request for proposals on Sept. 4, 2024 on behalf of the mayors and county commissioners. Responses are due to Rochester City Hall by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024.

The RFP seeks pre-planning and operation of up to 50 beds of the warming center from Nov. 15, 2024 through March 31, 2025. The warming center would operate as needed to provide overnight shelter to unsheltered residents when winter weather poses a significant life safety threat. The emergency management directors of the tri-cities would collaboratively determine the operation of the warming center with the goal of providing at least 24 hours notice for operation activation. The EMDs' decision to activate the warming center will be based on weather conditions pre-determined by the mayors, including temperature, wind chill, precipitation, and other weather-related conditions. RFP respondents are encouraged to suggest opening conditions as part of their submitted proposal.

Support for the operation of the Willand Warming Center is provided by the cities of Dover, Rochester, Somersworth and Strafford County as part of a collaborative cold-weather safety plan. Contributions are a combination of operating funds and in-kind services. The City of Dover owns the warming center property at 30 Willand Drive, which it purchased in 2020 with grant funds.

For more information, including a link to the complete bid documents, visit https://www.rochesternh.gov/bids/bids/bid-25-14-willand-warming-center.