📰 Columbia Borough Opens Bidding for 41‑Acre McGinness Innovation Park Development
COLUMBIA, PA — February 25, 2026
Columbia Borough has officially announced the opening of bids for the redevelopment of McGinness Innovation Park, a 41‑acre property located at 1020 Manor Street, with the release of both a press statement and a detailed Request for Proposals (RFP). The Borough is seeking an experienced developer capable of transforming the long‑vacant site into a project that expands the local tax base and creates new employment opportunities.
According to the RFP, the 41.388‑acre parcel was formerly home to McGinness Airport, which operated from 1949 until 1990. Columbia Borough purchased the property in 2021 from the McGinness Family Trust to support economic growth and redevelopment efforts. Since then, the Borough has completed environmental testing, removed underground fuel tanks, demolished existing structures, and completed large‑scale soil preparation and grading work as of December 2025.
The land is zoned Light Business, permitting a range of light business and light industrial uses. Developers may propose either a single large facility or multiple smaller buildings, and all necessary utility access—public water, sewer, and high‑speed internet—are available at the street. The Borough also noted its willingness to coordinate with the Lancaster County Economic Development Company for potential transfer of remaining PA Business In Our Sites (BIOS) program funding to the winning bidder.
Bidding Timeline and Requirements
Bids are being accepted from March 30 until the close of business on May 15, 2026. Proposals must include:
- Organizational qualifications
- Land use plans
- Estimated job creation
- Construction scope and cost
- Project timeline
- Financial readiness
- Community impact strategy
- Traffic analysis
- Proof of attendance at an April 8 pre‑bid meeting
- A minimum purchase offer of $6.2 million
Any omission will disqualify an application. Proposals will be evaluated using a weighted scoring system that considers track record, scope feasibility, financing, community benefits, and timeline clarity.
Bids will be opened on May 16, with evaluations completed within 7 days. Finalists may be invited to a follow‑up meeting with the project team, and the winning bid will be announced within 30 days of the opening. The selected developer must submit a 4% deposit within 10 days and complete a purchase contract within 45 days.
A Key Opportunity for Columbia’s Future
The Borough emphasized that the project is intended to bring long‑term economic growth, revitalize a dormant property, and attract new businesses. With completed site preparation and a prime location just blocks from PA‑462 and one mile from Route 30, officials hope the site will draw competitive proposals capable of shaping Columbia’s next phase of development.
Interested developers can obtain full RFP details on the official Borough website and submit proposals via email, mail, or in person at Columbia Borough Hall.
