The city will consider local restaurants for the planned eatery space at the end of Pier Park. Language in the city’s Request for Proposals now includes the word “locally.”
A petition began on Change.org after some Pier Park supporters and even opponents got wind of what the city was asking for. In the original RFP language the city asked for any restaurateur submitting a proposal to “Offer a nationally or regionally recognized chain restaurant or uniquely branded destination restaurant.”
The originator of the petition to seek local restaurants posted there was news from city staff that the language now includes “locally, nationally or regionally recognized.”
The city’s website does not reflect the change, but Alan DeLisle, the city’s development administrator, verified it had been made.
The edit doesn’t guarantee the city’s top chosen bidder won’t be a chain restaurant, but it does give the local guys a shot.
And discussion about the RFP at a City Council meeting last week, council members expressed concern over including chain restaurants in the RFP. Steve Kornell lamented that St. Pete residents don’t want a Hard Rock Cafe sitting at the Pier head. Social media comments worried about other chain restaurants like Applebee’s.
The restaurant that formerly occupied the Pier, The Columbia, is expected to bid for the space. Though, it is more widely anticipated Casey Gonzmart, owner of the small chain, will bid for a restaurant shell planned for the Pier uplands. He has long expressed concern over the viability of having fine dining at the Pier head.
The online petition was signed by more than 1,200 supporters.
