Massport is searching for one thing enjoyable to fill vacant Seaport parcel

The Massachusetts Port Authority has held onto an almost 3-acre parcel on the nook of D and Summer streets for many years, ready for the suitable second to show this car parking zone over for growth.

Now, it seems, just isn’t that second. Massport officers have determined it’s not a very good time to attempt to search builders for the South Boston web site, often called “D-3,” given town’s broader building slowdown.

However, as an alternative of conserving it as a car parking zone, they’re getting artistic. They’ve requested for bids to show the positioning into an “activation” that would draw regional and nationwide guests, over a five- to 15-year interval as they wait out the moribund growth market. Proposals are due by the top of the enterprise day on Friday.

The request for proposals that Massport issued is open-ended, searching for “an exciting public attraction that complements and enhances the existing mixed-use district” and attracts individuals to the South Boston waterfront. Massport’s RFP says potential makes use of might embrace: “family-focused” or “pet-focused” concepts, “eater-tainment” activation that mixes meals and drinks with sports activities or different actions, or another form of main tourism vacation spot.

The web site is throughout the road from the Omni Boston Hotel in addition to a Massport parking storage, and close to the Menino Convention & Exhibition Center.

Massport will decide a winner based mostly on 4 components: confirmed capability to finish the mission, the monetary phrases, the standard of the design and program, and neighborhood outreach.

“We’re looking for something different, [for] what could stand out,” Massport chief government Rich Davey mentioned. “It’s kind of an ugly parking lot. Let’s see if we can activate it in the meantime. There are smarter people than me that could come up with some interesting concepts.”

The Anthem Group, Chris Sinclair’s occasions firm, has finished one thing comparable with a waterfront part of the Charlestown Navy Yard. For seven years, he’s been working The Anchor there, providing meals and drinks whereas internet hosting occasions starting from people singers to films to festivals.

Sinclair mentioned he thought-about bidding on the Massport parcel, too, however in the end deemed that the timing and match weren’t proper for his agency. The web site has positives, similar to its proximity to the conference middle and neighboring resorts, and in addition drawbacks, such because the slope on a part of the property and the dearth of foot site visitors in comparison with the streets nearer to the water.

Still, Sinclair mentioned he appreciated Massport’s method to do one thing artistic with one among its parcels, to make it greater than only a car parking zone.

“I wish more departments, more agencies, would get on that train of thought,” Sinclair mentioned.

Developer Jon Davis, a key participant behind the development of the Omni lodge throughout the road, mentioned he understands why Massport would take this method given the present challenges with constructing housing. “It makes a lot of sense that the port authority would look for a temporary use,” Davis mentioned, “and wait to monetize the site until a better market comes.”

Jon Chesto may be reached at jon.chesto@globe.com. Follow him @jonchesto.