ANNA MARIA – The details contained in the two pier lease bid proposals opened in early April are expected to be made public at a special city commission meeting on Wednesday, May 6 at 2 p.m.
Thad Treadwell and Mike Ross from the Ugly Grouper and Sean Murphy, owner of the Beach Bistro and Eat Here, submitted the two bids the city received in response to the request for proposals (RFP) issued in January seeking a tenant for the new pier buildings.
The new pier tenant is also responsible at their own expense to complete the interior buildouts of the city-owned pier buildings.
When the sealed bid proposals were opened in the commission chambers on April 8, Mayor Dan Murphy said the city had 30 days to make the proposals available to the public and the media and that he expected to provide his initial evaluation of the bid proposals to city commissioners on Thursday, April 23 and then to the public.
During the April 23 meeting, Murphy told the commission he needed some additional information from the bidders before he could make his recommendation as to which of the two bidders he recommends negotiating with first.
“As you know there were two bidders. Both were contacted to provide more information as to who would be the responsible party for the lease, on the buildout, as well as us knowing what the financial responsibility pieces are on the bid itself,” Murphy told the commission on Thursday.
Murphy said he expected to have that information by the close of business on Friday.
“I want to incorporate that into the bid and then make sure the commission understands who it is that we’re doing business with. Once that’s received, I’m going to gather more information, do more research on what we have with these bids, spend a little more time with our consultant. I will then discuss with the commission some of my findings,” Murphy said.
The consultant Murphy referred to is former Sandbar general manager and long-time restaurant CEO Doug Sullivan.
Murphy requested a special city commission meeting be scheduled to discuss the bid proposals, at which time he will bring options and a recommendation to the commission for a decision.
Murphy also said he would meet individually with each commissioner provide them with an update before the formal public discussion takes place.
“We have until May 8th to make a decision and make a vote,” Murphy said.
With city hall still closed to the public, restaurateur Sean Murphy attended Thursday’s meeting via telephone.
“I’m listening and open to any and all suggestions,” he told the commission.
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the opening date for the new pier has not yet been announced. As of Monday, the pier remained closed.
