Big Corona State Beach may not have a full-time concessionaire this summer — but city staff wants to negotiate with a few short-term vendors to make sure beach visitors have refreshments available, according to a staff report.
The concessions stand at the beach has been empty since November, when Fuji Grill closed. At the time, the owner cited financial and parking problems at the beach location; read our story here. Fuji Grill had operated the concessions stand since 2008.
In March, the City of Newport Beach announced a request for applications to take over the spot. But by the April 8 deadline, just one business had applied.
Kilmer Enterprises Inc. sought to return to the beach; the business had run the concessions from the early 1990s until 2005; read our story here. According to the staff report, Kilmer would have offered “cheeseburgers, hot dogs, fries, and similar types of food.”
But because there were no other applicants, city staff is asking the City Council to let them return to the drawing board.
“Rather than committing to a long-term agreement from a process that garnered only one respondent, City staff is currently assessing the RFP (request for proposal) process – including the terms of the concession and the overall suitability of the facility. In the interim, a temporary solution to provide food during the summer months should be pursued,” the staff report states.
The staff report asks for Council approval to seek one or more concessions agreements that would be short term, running from May 27 through Sept. 30. Because the Fuji Grill owner rightfully removed equipment he purchased, including a refrigeration unit, oven and broiler, the restaurant might need to use a truck for food preparation. That truck would park in the spaces formerly allotted to Fuji Grill, according to the report.
The City’s economic development consultant is working with revenue staff in “reframing the RFP to encourage more proposers,” the staff report states. Lowering the rent is a possibility, the report said.
“Staff will also assess ways to mitigate the potential negative business conditions of Corona del Mar concession (lack of off-season business and the expense of parking) and will conduct an aggressive outreach effort to attract qualified bidders,” the staff report states.
The new request for proposals likely would be issued in the fall.
Staff is investigating ways to bring refreshments to the beach during the summer season, the “busiest season at Corona del Mar State Beach,” the report states.
“Staff anticipates a high level of interest by vendors and staff could establish a schedule where different vendors would provide concessions,” the report states, adding that local restaurants should not be affected.
The City Council meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Council Chambers at City Hall at 3300 Newport Blvd. The meeting is open to the public, and the public may make comments.
The meeting also will be streamed live on the city’s website.
