April 17, 2018 RE: Request for Proposal for the Triangle Park Café leased and managed by Downtown Lexington Partnership. To Whom It May Concern: The enclosed Request for Proposal (RFP) invites your Business to review an opportunity to lease the café in Triangle Park. The café is located in the heart of downtown Lexington and is one of the most beautiful public urban green spaces in downtown core. Companies choosing to respond to the RFP must complete and return the attached Intention to respond form by May 9. All questions must be submitted in writing via email, and answers will be distributed via email to the individuals listed on the Intention to Respond. Please direct any questions relative to the RFP to Kyle Frizzell, Event Coordinator at Kyle@downtownlex.com. I look forward to receiving and reviewing your proposal. Sincerely, Kyle Frizzell Event Coordinator Downtown Lexington Partnership 316 W. High St. 1
Intention to Respond We plan to respond to the RFP in regards to the Triangle Park Café located at 400 W Main St, Lexington, KY 40507. For the purpose of this submittal, our contact is listed below. Company Name: Contact Name: E-mail Address: Address: Phone: Fax: Website: Please return by email to Kyle@downtownlex.com Please return no later than 5:00 p.m., Wednesday May 9, 2018. Downtown Lexington Partnership 316 W. High St. 2
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR DOWNTOWN LEXINGTON PARTNERSHIP (DLP) Triangle Park Café Operator Issue Date: April 18, 2018 Due Date: May 16, 2018 3
Section 1: DLP Background Mission Statement Downtown Lexington Partnership (DLP) provides a strategically coordinated approach to Downtown revitalization and management and acts as the single point of contact and accountability. Specifically, DLP works to create a successful, vibrant Downtown by proactively and strategically working with our partners to: Develop and improve Downtown. Provide enhanced cleaning, beautification and safety services. Market and promote Downtown. Address critical issues that affect the success of Downtown on behalf of our stakeholders and the regional community. Downtown Vision A vibrant, economically powerful urban core that is the premiere cultural, leisure, entertainment, dining, residential and corporate center of the Lexington community. History Downtown Lexington Partnership (DLP) is a newly formed organization that resulted from merging the Downtown Lexington Corporation (DLC) and Lexington Downtown Development Authority (LDDA). This merger, which was led by DLC/LDDA boards of directors with support from the City and LFUCG Council, was completed in the 4 th quarter of 2017. As the new Downtown umbrella organization, DLP provides a single point of contact and accountability and a coordinated approach to Downtown revitalization and management. In its new role, DLP also manages the Downtown Lexington Management District (DLMD) on behalf of its board of director. In total DLP works to strategically develop, manage and market Downtown. Section 2: Project Site Background Triangle Park Foundation (Park Funder) Triangle Foundation, Inc. was established in 1980 by Mr. Alex Campbell Jr. and a group of community leaders to develop Triangle Park, located in the heart of downtown Lexington. Over the years, the Triangle Foundation has expanded its membership to include over 100 board members whose generous donations to the foundation help fund the Triangle Foundation s projects. The mission of the foundation is to initiate private projects for public benefit. Since the creation of Triangle Park, the foundation has developed Equestrian Park at Blue Grass Airport, Thoroughbred Park and Woodland Skateboard Park, along with several other important community projects. About the Park Triangle Park is a city park developed in 1980 with private funding by the Triangle Foundation. The park went through Extensive physical renovations in 2011. Triangle Park was designed by internationally acclaimed landscape architect Robert Zion. Mr. Zion, a pioneer in modernism in landscape architecture developed many of
the world s finest parks, most notably Paley Plaza in NYC ranked 20 th in the world, a vast pocket park, which caused municipalities to rethink how they utilized small public spaces. Mr. Zion designed the grounds surrounding the Statue of Liberty. The park s 360-foot stair step cascading fountain is an iconic feature in downtown Lexington. Triangle Park is one of the most beautiful public parks in downtowns core. Strategically located in the heart of our Downtown Lexington behind the Lexington Convention Center and Rupp Arena, the park features movable chairs and café tables, large sun shielding umbrellas, the Café, beautiful ivy gardens and plants that change through the year. This urban oasis is used year round by visitors from all over. General Park Information 1.25 acres: Includes ½ acre lawn and 32,670 square feet of brick paves pedestrian area. 360 foot stair stepped water fountain. 300 pieces of movable furniture: 200 Park Chairs, 54 park café tables, and 20 café umbrellas. 74 Imperial Honey locust trees and more than 8,000 Daffodil Bulbs planted in the ivy beds. Triangle Park Café Equipment included in the leased premises (see pictures in Appednix) Approximately 400 square foot café constructed in 2011 with the following equipment: Manitowoc Ice Machine Patriot Two Basket Fryer True Refrigerator, with Top Sandwich Station Tri Star Oven, Flattop and 2 Burner Stove Giless Hood Venting System True Refrigerator, Beverage (reach down in) Stand Up Full Refrigerator 3 Air Conditioners Hand Washing Sink 3 Compartment Sink w/ Disposal Pepsi Machine and Lines 2 Serving Windows 2 Restrooms, Small Storage Section 3: Triangle Park Café Services DLP is seeking an entrepreneurial food service operator to lease the Triangle Park Café providing food and beverage service that attracts customers and supports park programming and special events. Scope/Goals DLP is seeking entrepreneurial operators that will provide food and beverage service that is: An added amenity to the park. Enhances special events and park programming. Includes alcohol beverage services. Caters to a family atmosphere.
Hours of Operation DLP is seeking an operator who will maintain regular and predictable hours. Ideally, the operator will maintain hours as described below. However, the operator can submit a proposal with differing hours and explain their rationale in the proposal. March-October o 7 days per week o 7:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. o Support special event programming (partial list provided below) November-February (can be identified in your proposal) o TBD mutually agreed upon o Support special event programming (partial list provided below) Mandatory Café open hours (subject to change) Fountain Films on Friday Series: Fridays in July and August from 5:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m. Fourth of July Festival Downtown Lunch Breaks Sunrise Fitness Series Unified Trust Company Ice Rink Hours on operation. During all Special Events held at the park. During peak hours for Lexington Convention Center. Exclusivity The Downtown Lexington Partnership reserves the right to provide additional food vending services for special events and large scale events. Some of these events may include Downtown Lunch Breaks and Fountain Films on Friday. The Café will hold rights to everyday vending opportunities otherwise. Partnerships A DLP staff member will be assigned as Park Supervisor and will be your main point of contact for all things related to the Triangle Park Café, the park, and special events. This employee will help the tenant navigate planed events, programed park activities, and general café needs. The tenant will be required to maintain partnerships with DLP, DLMD, Lexington Fayette Urban County Government, Lexington Center LCC, and the Triangle Foundation. Qualifications Tenant should have a demonstrated passion and knowledge in the food service industry and previous or current experience in the industry. Tenant should be entrepreneurial, flexible, innovative and be willing to prototype ideas. Experience working with industrial kitchen appliances is required. Business Plan Propose must submit a detailed business development plan to include but not limited to: Vision statement for the café. Business/concept summary
Starting capital and reserve funds 3-year pro-forma Operations and staffing plan Market analysis Marketing and programing plan Products and services Menu (including proposed pricing) Additional equipment or capital purchases Agreement The selected food service provider will be required to enter into a 3-year lease agreement with DLP. DLP s primary focus in securing a tenant is not to generate revenue but rather to obtain a quality food service provider that will enhance the park experience throughout the calendar year. Consequently, DLP is open to exploring various lease structures and rental rates. Section 4: Timeline DLP s goal is to have the Triangle Park Café operating by July 1, 2018. The anticipated timeline (which may change based upon discussion with selected vendor): 1. RFP released: April 18, 2018 2. Café Site Tours May 2-3, 2018 3. Vendor selection on or before May 25, 2018 4. Acceptance meeting with vendor May 28, 2018 5. Executed lease: June 1, 2018 6. Café opens July 1, 2018 Section 5: Selection Process and Submissions Selection Process A. Timeline The selection timeline is anticipated to be the following: 1. Proposals must be submitted on or before: 5:00 p.m., May 16, 2018 2. Interviews: Will be conducted with candidate vendors: May 21-24, 2018 3. Vendor selection on or before: May 25, 2018 4. Contract execution and possession provided to operator: June 1, 2018 5. Winning Vendor begins work on or before: July 1, 2018 B. Selection Criteria A committee of DLP staff and board members shall review submissions. This group will select vendors to interview and will use criteria including but not limited to the following to evaluate and select a winning proposal: 1. Innovation and Creativity: Submitted proposal demonstrates innovative ideas. 2. Expertise & Experience: Operator has prior experience in a similar café environment or other
expertise that will make the itr successful as the Triangle Park Café operator. Operator has proven record of success in the food service industry. 3. Concept Development: Operator has developed a concept that matches DLP s vision and that is executable. 4. Business Plan: Operator has submitted a comprehensive business plan that instills confidence for success, addresses the challenges and opportunities of the café, has a solid foundation of capital to weather start-up and revenue swings in the seasons and provides for marketing and promotions. 5. Financial Strength: The operator documents that it has sufficient funds to be successful during the term of the lease. 6. Creative Partnership: Operator proposes a sustainable lease arrangement and partnership with DLP. Submissions A. Submit Proposals To: Kyle Frizzell Event Coordinator Downtown Lexington Partnership 316 W. High St. B. Proposal Shall Contain the Following (Please provide an original and five copies; DLP may also request vendor email an electronic copy). 1. Cover Letter: Introduce the company, including name, address, telephone number, email address of primary contact and any other relevant information. 2. Proposer History: Name, address and brief history of company. 3. Personnel: Provide the qualifications of company leadership and other key personnel who will be involved in café operations and explain the role of each. 4. Related Experience: Briefly describe food service operations the company has been involved in over the past 5 years and sales volumes, restaurant sizes (seats, square footage) number of staff managed and lease rates (if applicable). Indicate if you owned property or leased property. List references of landlord if the company leased the premises. 5. Concept Summary: Describe your vision and concept for the café and why operating the café is of interest to your company. 6. Business Plan: Provide a comprehensive business plan as described in the RFP. 7. Verification of Funds: Provide a letter from bank or bank statements verifying the funds that operator indicated was needed in the business plan.
Provide overall budget plan to perform the services and provide the deliverables described in this scope of work. 8. Miscellaneous: An alternate time line should be included in your submission if company doesn t believe it can begin operations by July 1. Include other items that operator deems relevant to provide DLP that will assist in its evaluation of the submission.
Appendix Triangle Park Café and Park Pictures