Lakeview concession stand remains closed

PORT CLINTON - Port Clinton city officials do not expect the concession stand at Lakeview Park to be open this summer season, but they are still exploring options and taking ideas from interested parties.

Officials began looking into having the concession stand go in a new direction in October after the prior leaseholder fell behind on thousands of dollars in rent owed to the city.

The back rent owed was initially disputed by the prior leaseholder before he ultimately paid it to the city, according to an update provided by the city auditor at the most recent Port Clinton City Council meeting.

More:City officials consider new direction for Lakeview Park concession stand

More:Unpaid rent disputed for Lakeview Park concession stand

After the past due amount owed was paid, the contract between the prior leaseholder, Speedway Rentals, LLC, and the city of Port Clinton was terminated through a mutual agreement with both parties.

On May 14, Port Clinton City Council officially accepted the agreement to terminate the lease. The following week, the city’s finance committee, which was assigned to look into the matter, discussed ideas and future plans for the concession stand going forward.

City officials, when they began looking at it in October, initially intended to release a request for proposals and have the concession stand potentially open this year, But due to the issues with the prior leaseholder and issues with severe erosion of the city beach, where most concession stand customers are usually located, council may release a request for qualifications.

More:Port Clinton state of emergency continues with high water, erosion

A request for qualifications will allow the city to have a better idea of who is interested in potentially manning the concession stand in the future, according to officials.

Based on state law, a request for proposals would have to be advertised for two consecutive weeks, then those interested have 30 days to submit a proposal, followed by an additional interview process.

City Councilwoman Lisa Sarty, a member of the finance committee, estimated that it could have been at least six weeks or more until a new contract was signed and the concession stand was up and running, at which point much of the summer season would be over.

But even as they look toward 2020, Councilman Gabe Below, chair of the finance committee, stressed that there are still plenty of things going on this summer at Lakeview.

Though the city’s beach is closed after the city declared an emergency following high water and beach erorison, Lakeview Park has still been a very popular stop for local and area families with its Flagship Collaborative Play Place.

The shelter at Lakeview Park is booked full with events for essentially every weekend this summer, according to city officials.

jstinchcom@gannett.com

419-680-4897

Twitter: @JonDBN