BUDC releases RFP for Queen City Pop Up Outdoor Holiday Market
The Buffalo Urban Development Corporation (BUDC) in partnership with the City of Buffalo, Buffalo Place, and Ciminelli Real Estate has released Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify a consul tant to design and develop a temporary pop-up installation for the holiday season up to Christmas. BUDC is soliciting proposals from experienced firms to assist in the design, implementation and operation of the urban holiday market.
This concept will utilize temporary structures and design elements (such as market stalls or similar concepts) to create a human-scale retail environment that can accom modate a series of small pop up shops. BUDC has partnered with Ciminelli Real Estate and Buffalo Place to hold the QCPU at Fountain Plaza to compliment and build off of Buffalo Place’s holiday activations in the central business district.
The QCPU program was designed to activate vacant storefronts by filling them with retailers on a short-term, cost-free basis, as a way to support and attract retailers Downtown. As part of BUDC’s commitment to support small businesses in downtown Buffalo and create a positive economic impact, BUDC is envisioning an outdoor market that utilizes adaptive reuse concepts to both attract foot traffic and give entrepreneurs first-hand experience in operating Downtown. BUDC, with support from the City of Buffalo, Buffalo Place and Ciminelli Real Estate and support from the selected consultant team will manage the operation of pop-up market during its run from November 13, 2025 to December 20, 2025. Once a design concept is final ized, BUDC will release a call for retailers to apply for space at the QCPU Outdoor Holiday Market.
“We are thrilled to introduce this concept in downtown Buffalo. It offers retailers the opportunity to test their products in the downtown Buffalo market, offers residents and visitors a new local shopping experience and brings more visitors to Buffalo’s central business district. Queen City Pop-Up continues to pursue its mission of creating a vibrant downtown Buffalo by attracting small retailers to the area and promoting down town’s diverse small business community,” says Brandye Merriweather, BUDC President.
Mayor Christopher P. Scan lon said, “This is an exciting opportunity for our local small businesses and entrepreneurs to get retail exposure down town in a new and fun way. This year’s Queen City Pop Up will encourage foot traffic downtown and provide anoth er retail destination for resi dents, employees and visitors alike. The Queen City Pop Up project is another strong example of how we’re working collaboratively to enhance the vibrancy and economic vitality of the Downtown Buffalo neighborhood.”
The RFP can be found on BUDC’s website www.buf falourbandevelopment.com and copies are also available at BUDC’s offices located at 95 Perry Street, Suite 404, Buffalo, N.Y. 14203.
The deadline for proposals is Monday, August 18, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. BUDC will also host a pre-proposal meet ing on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 2:00pm via Zoom. Please submit written questions to BUDC Project Manager, James Bernard at jbernard@buffa lourbandevelopment.com.