Great things are happening in Gloucester City as major redevelopment projects are underway at the following sites:


Request for Proposals for the Riverfront Restaurant Initiative

To download word document click the link for RFP Waterfront

or read below for more info.

5/16/2008

 

City of Gloucester

Riverfront Restaurant Initiative

 

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The City of Gloucester (NJ) is seeking to form a partnership, with an experienced restaurant/tavern owner, for the purpose of establishing and operating an eating, drinking and entertainment venue along the Delaware River waterfront.  The proposed venue will be located at Freedom Pier, adjacent to a public park and marina, which is within the City’s newly designated King Street festival retail and entertainment corridor.

Freedom Pier is located opposite the City of Philadelphia, separated by the Delaware River, and is approximately 400 feet long by 250 feet wide.  The venue will be situated at the base of the pier in an area that is approximately 125 feet deep by 250 wide.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In 2007, the City of Gloucester retained the JGSC Group to conduct a Community Insights™ market analysis and to develop a strategic plan for the revitalization of the community.  Among other things, the Community Insights™ strategic plan recommended the creation of a festival retail and entertainment corridor along King Street. 

Further, the analysis determined that the region’s single largest ancestry is the Irish population, which comprises 20% of the total population of the Delaware Valley, but 42% of the population of the City of Gloucester.  In consideration of this and other relevant findings, the strategic plan recommended the creation of an Irish-themed retail corridor along King Street, the development of mixed-use properties that resemble an Irish Wharf on Freedom Pier, and that a tall-masted schooner be permanently docked to the end of the pier.

The strategic plan takes advantage of existing and potential assets along the corridor including the presence of the Delaware River, Proprietor’s Park, a public marina, and existing restaurants and taverns.

Implementation of the strategic plan began in September of 2007.  Since that time the following milestones have been achieved:

  1. The City issued an RFQ for developers to create mixed-use in-fill development along the King Street corridor.  A developer has been selected and the City is in the process of approving that selection.
  2. The Philadelphia Inquirer published a major story about the plans for the King Street corridor (copy attached).
  3. A previously closed restaurant (Vincent’s) has been purchased by new operators and is expected open in late June or early July.
  4. Efforts are underway to recruit maritime-related businesses, including maritime trades and schools, to the corridor.
  5. The City has directed that all future public events and activities will now be conducted at the waterfront park.
  6. The local Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) has budgeted $50,000 and begun planning for Saint Patrick’s Day events and a parade along the waterfront.
  7. A charter-boat, (65-foot, 84-ton, 150 passenger) cruise boat called the “Flagship VI” will use Freedom Pier, on a trial-basis, for private excursions beginning in June.
  8. The City has identified a three-masted schooner, the “North Wind,” which is currently for sale.  The City has authorized funding for the purchase of the 75-foot steel-hulled vessel that will be the focal point of the pier.

RIVERFRONT RESTAURANT CONCEPT

In addition to the above milestones, the City has created an initiative to utilize the foot of the pier, on a seasonal basis, to provide food, beverages and entertainment.  The concept envisions the use of temporary structures (tents, boardwalk paving, dance floors, staging, etc.) to create a venue where local and regional consumers can relax and enjoy the seasonal weather, sunset views, outdoor entertainment, and local activities.

The intent of this initiative is to create and capture sufficient consumer demand to warrant the continuation of this concept (on a seasonal basis) or to act as a catalyst for the development of mixed-use (retail, residential, and office) space on this site. 

The City hopes that the venue can be opened as a quickly as reasonably possible and has established a target opening date of Thursday, June 19, 2008.  In meeting this schedule, the City assumes that the venue will initially offer a limited menu of food, drink and entertainment but expects the offering will continue to expand over the course of the season.  Weather permitting, it is anticipated that the venue will continue operations at least until October 19, 2008.

The proposed site is situated about 750 yards south of the Walt Whitman Bridge and is clearly visible to vehicles traveling to New Jersey.  In order to enhance the visibility of the pier and the venue, the City proposes to use decorative lighting to outline any appropriate structures such as the schooner, tents, the pier, and the boardwalk. 

In addition, the City intends to work with the appropriate agencies to provide way-finding signage that will help direct motorists to the venue.  Ample parking is available in the immediate vicinity and the City intends to take steps to create additional temporary parking areas immediately adjacent to the venue.

It is the desire of the City to enter into a public/private partnership with a private party that possesses the resources, staffing, and experience necessary to ensure the successful operation of this venue.  The City expects to enter into negotiations with the selected operator to reach an agreement that will specify the rights and obligations of each of the partners (the City and the private operator).

In an effort to help ensure the viability of the concept, the City anticipates that it will be able to provide the following incentives and assistance to the selected operator:

  1. Access to, and use, of the area without charge;
  2. Assistance with the acquisition of necessary structures and equipment;
  3. Construction of temporary boardwalk paving, dance floors, bandstand, and similar structures within the common areas of the venue.
  4. Construction of additional (temporary) parking areas adjacent to the venue.
  5. Assistance with the acquisition of a retail consumption liquor license.
  6. Waiver of fees for required City permits.
  7. Subsidies towards the cost of electric, water and sewer utilities.
  8. Assistance and guidance in working with the City, County and other agencies.
  9. Advertising and public relations support and assistance at no cost.
  10. Way finding and directional signage at no cost.
  11. Decorative lighting of structures in and around the venue.

 

REQUIREMENTS

Respondents should identify their relevant experience in operating similar venues and include information that certifies their ability to meet or exceed the operating requirements for the concept described within this document.

The selected operator must meet the following minimum requirements:

  1. Significant experience in the ownership and operation of similar venues such as a restaurant, banquet, tavern or entertainment facility.
  2. Possession of (or ability to acquire) a retail consumption liquor license for use in the City of Gloucester.
  3. The ability to demonstrate sufficient financial resources necessary to successfully operate the venue.

Deadline for submissions is 4:00 pm on Friday, May 30, 2008.


Freedom Pier/Coast Guard Base -- Click on Future Developments for a detailed schematic of the proposed site.

Southport -- Visit www.southportredevelopment.com for more information or click on Future Developments for a detailed schematic of the proposed site.

You may also click here for a progress report of the above mentioned sites.

 

 

 

 

 

  

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