The Downtown Investment Authority will review a Request for Proposal today from the City seeking a Hemming Plaza programming and operations manager.
The request states, in part, “The primary goal of this RFP is for the City to enter into an agreement with a qualified contractor to program, operate and manage events at Hemming Plaza. It is the City’s desire to (i) keep Hemming Plaza active during the day and early evening seven days a week throughout the year; (ii) create an atmosphere that makes Hemming Plaza appealing to the entire community by making it cleaner, safer and more attractive; (iii) program small-scale events throughout Hemming Plaza that will make it a vibrant focal point in the center of our city; and (iv) make it easy and desirable for third-party individuals and organizations to hold events in Hemming Plaza, thus leveraging the economic impact of a positive, active urban park space.”
The contractor shall be solely responsible for routine and preventive maintenance on a regular basis, including pest control and landscaping.
The City will continue to maintain the fountains in the plaza and provide Monday-Friday trash can service.
The contractor will “cooperate with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to keep the premises safe at all times” from theft, vandalism and other criminal activities.
The City will grant exclusive concession rights and the contractor will be required to provide food, beverages and other items for sale to the public during normal hours of operation and during all public events in the plaza.
In terms of revenue generated through concession sales, “To the extent any revenues are generated from the operation of Hemming Plaza (including but not limited to concessionaire fees, advertising fees, and event license fees), the revenues may be used to offset the reasonable expenses related to such activities, and the remaining net revenue shall be paid directly to the City. All revenue activities and related expenses shall be reported to the City on a monthly basis.”
In reference to events, the RFP states, “Contractor shall work with the City to actively and continuously (i) market and promote Hemming Plaza, (ii) seek events to advance the City’s goals for Hemming Plaza; and (iii) negotiate and administer all Use, License and/or Occupancy Agreements in accordance with any City Policies.”
The City will maintain sole ownership of the property, furniture, and fixtures and will grant no property rights as part of the agreement with the contractor.
The initial agreement with the contractor will be for one year, with the City having the option to renew the agreement for up to four additional years upon satisfactory performance of the contractor, according to the RFP.
The deadline for submitting responses is 2 p.m. Aug. 7 to the City’s Procurement Office at 214 N. Hogan St.
The Downtown Investment Authority is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. today at City Hall in the Lynwood Roberts Room.
(904) 356-2466
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