Submitted By: John Spencer
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Presentation By: Julie Johnson
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Department: Recreation and Parks
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve a lease with Healthy Hub Ocala, LLC for the Caf? at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place with an initial term of three years
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OCALA'S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Operational Excellence, Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
The Mary Sue Rich Center at Reed Place (the Center) is a 41,000 sq. ft. community recreation Center at 1821 NW 21st Avenue. The facility's first floor includes an open high-ceiling entryway and corridor, a caf? area and commercial kitchen, a 390-seat banquet hall, two full-court basketball courts, restrooms, and building administration areas. The second floor includes an indoor walking track, a fitness area, three multi-purpose rooms, a senior program room, a branch library, a media Center, and two huddle meeting rooms. The facility's only on-site vending is a soda machine offering soda, sports beverages, and water.
A small caf? on the main floor of the Center was part of the original facility design. The caf? space includes a 185-square-foot caf? and a 442-square-foot commercial kitchen space. The objective is to lease the caf? to an independent vendor to operate the caf?, providing healthy and affordable grab-and-go or quick-service breakfast, lunch, and beverage options for the Center's guests. The caf? lessee may also offer catering to patrons renting the Center's banquet facilities.
In August 2022, the City issued Request for Proposal (RFP) No. REC/220231 for Caf? Operation and Lease at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center. A single proposal was received but subsequently withdrawn. The opportunity was readvertised in September of 2022 and February 2023. No proposals were received for either re-solicitation.
The decision was made to pursue alternative caf? lease options, including negotiating leases directly with vendors intere...
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