The CDS government is required by NL 9-2 to set aside a minimum percentage of the [commercial land] that it owns, for special sale to proposed commercial uses in a bidding process. This does not apply to privately-owned property; usually the government owns land as the result of abandonment for unpaid rent or by opening new parcels.
The intent of the law is to promote active uses of the parcels designated as "commercial". This post describes the special bidding process that will be used. When land is available under this process, its location and the time for applications will be posted as a separate note on the [Business, Commerce & the Economy] forum board.
1. When a commercial parcel is owned by the government, CDS executive branch will determine whether it should be offered under this special process, consistent with CDS laws. If it is to be offered in that way, that parcel announcement will be posted under the "Business, Commerce and Economy" thread. Here's an example.
2. Interested persons will be asked to submit a bid indicating the nature of the business planned, which must include the name of the proposed owner avatar (and SL group if any), the name of the business, an indication of other locations that exist (if there is more than one location for the business), a short description of what goods, services or activities will be conducted, and a short statement of the kind of customers, or visitors that the business expects to attract. Bids will be received, privately to the executive branch, for 14 days.
3. The executive branch will ask for each CDS faction (that is then eligible to stand for CDS election to nominate one proposal reviewer). Each nominee must agree to keep the bids completely confidential, and cannot bid. Those qualified nominated reviewers (such as actually participate and review bids), plus one or two representatives of the CDS executive branch, will review bids after the 14th day, and by the 21st day each will provide a confidential recommendation to each other and the chancellor. who will compile the recommendations (still, in confidence), report to all of the reviewers, make a final selection and then notify a winning bidder, if any. Criteria are at the discretion of the reviewers and the chancellor, but must be consistent with CDS law.
4. Winning bids will be awarded the land without any initial purchase price and at the rent rate and duration then provided for the bid process by law (currently, under NL 9-2, 50% of the stated rate, and a 6 month duration).
5. The designated avatar/business will have the first option to purchase the land at the end of the (6 month) term, at which time it reverts to standard CDS tier rates.
Please see Jamie Palisades if you have any questions.