Town sends request for information to area businesses
The Town of Bethlehem has reached out to local businesses in hopes of expanding vending options at its parks and other properties.
The town distributed a request for information to at least 25 people and companies this past week in hopes of soliciting ideas. The concept was born out of last year’s budget process when it was said the town needs more non-tax revenue, said Councilman Mark Hennessey, who spearheaded the proposal along with Councilman Mark Jordan and Parks and Recreation Department Director Nan Lanahan.
I remember sitting around budget time and saying, why don’t we go out there and do something that we never have before? Hennessey said.
Right now, the town rents space at the Elm Avenue Park Pool Complex for a vending operation run by Thomas Rowlands of Ellisson Enterprises. That agreement nets the town $5,400 without costing hardly anything, said Lanahan.
`In certain businesses, it’s nice to have an outside vendor concession, because they know their business and we don’t know their business,` Lanahan said.
That’s really the only formal example of a private-public vending partnership, though. With all the pocket parks, passive recreation areas and seasonal activities that are popular in town, the thought is the pool could be the tip of the iceberg.
`There’s so many different people out there that provide the kinds of services that are anticipated under the RFI,` Hennessey said. `I think you can get a better class of service out there.`
Though Elm Avenue is the largest of the town’s parkland facilities, the RFI suggests there could be plenty of other opportunities out there. Possibilities include skate rentals at the Elm Avenue ice skating rink, food concessions or even a small restaurant setup at the Colonial Acres Golf Course and vending at Henry Hudson Park, which many in town government say is underutilized in general.
`Some kind of coffee vendor or snack vendor would probably do quite well, because it’s very busy down there in the early party of the season,` Lanahan said.
There are plans to build a fishing pier at the Henry Hudson Park this spring.
Cathy Callan, the owner of Java Jazz Cafe in Delmar, was one of the businesspeople to receive an RFI. She said she has to look into the idea more to see if her restaurant could make the investment that would be needed to have a presence in a town park or elsewhere.
`I think it’s really a great idea. Things have been kind of hard in town and all over the state,` she said. `Restaurants are kind of having a hard time, and the more venues they have to offer their stuff, the better.`
Java Jazz already makes breakfasts at the Delmar Farmers Market, which Callan said has been a great partnership.
The town is looking for ideas not included in the information request, too. Unlike a more formal request for proposals, which kicks off a competitive bidding process, the RFI sent out is more of a exploratory move. Those who did not receive a copy direct from the town but are interested should contact Lanahan.
Responses are due to the town by March 18.“
