Pier management proposals sought in Bradenton Beach
By Paul Roat
Islander Reporter
Prospective Bradenton Beach City Pier restaurateurs have until Dec. 13 to produce a business plan to operate the facility.
City commissioners last week agreed to accept requests for proposals to manage the pier at Bridge Street up to that date. A "walk through" of the restaurant will be held Nov. 29 for prospective bidders. A public bid opening will be held at 3 p.m. Dec. 14.
Prospective bidders will have their hands full in fulfilling the city's bid proposal. Beside requiring a minimum of three years experience in operating a "public food service establishment," prospective operators must provide financial statements for the past three years, references, an organizational chart, a business plan for managing the pier restaurant, equipment, marketing plan, customer complaint procedures, insurance and a "vision statement" for how the business can mesh with the city's plans for the future.
The proposal also must contain hours of operation of the restaurant, a menu and prices, as well as projected revenue from a variety of sources.
In a break from past proposals to manage the pier restaurant, bidders are not required to provide a percentage figure to be paid to the city for the receipts. However, city officials will weigh the highest revenue provided to the city in their deliberations on who will receive the nod to operate the pier.
City officials terminated the lease agreement with Karen and Jake Gallo last month after the pier was damaged by Hurricane Frances in early September.
Pier revenues have been declining in the past few years after an all-time high in 1999 of $1.02 million; revenues for 2003 were $818,000.
The request for proposals package is available at Bradenton Beach City Hall, 107 Gulf Drive N. |
