Palo Alto Historic Depot Activation

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority - Design and Construction Contracts has issued request for information, solicitation S26160.

The purpose of this Request for Information (" RFI ") is to gather information regarding capability and interest from organizations (each an "Organization") to exploring the revitalization of the Depot through a public-facing commercial venture. VTA may use the information gathered as a result of this RFI to plan the acquisition strategy. A subsequent Request for Qualifications, Request for Proposal, Invitation for Bid, or other similar solicitation may rely on information obtained as a result of this RFI.

The Palo Alto Train Depot (Depot) is a historically significant site listed on the National and California Registers of Historic Places and designated as a Category 1 historic building by the City of Palo Alto. VTA is exploring the revitalization of the Depot through a public-facing commercial venture. The envisioned project may include community activations, (historic or art exhibitions, or public demonstration exhibitions), food service operations, small-front retail, pop-up events and flexible coworking space. VTA considers minimum activation to be simple food and beverage service, which may be fulfilled via coffee cart. The intent is to activate and enliven this historic transit structure with a food service operator serving VTA, Caltrain, SamTrans, and Margurite transit riders.

Responses are due October 6, 2026 at 4:00 PM PDT.

Questions must be submitted by September 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM PDT.

Commodity categories: Retail Trade; Other Urban Transit Systems; Lessors of Nonresidential Buildings (except Miniwarehouses); Community Food Services; Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation; Historical Sites; Accommodation and Food Services; Food Services and Drinking Places.

Contact: Gina Cole, Contracts Administrator (gina.cole@vta.org, (408) 321-5648).

1 document is attached to the notice: RFI S26160 Palo Alto Depot.

The full solicitation document, addenda and the question-and-answer thread are on the agency's OpenGov portal at https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/vta/projects/297481. Responses are submitted electronically there, and a free vendor account is required before you can upload one.