Town looks at options for Times Square space
Space within Times Square that is owned by the Town of Fort Myers Beach is being looked into for a potentially better revenue source than what is currently being leased out for.
The lease agreement for the paver area that houses Tours and Information Center, Inc. within that pedestrian plaza expired Sept. 30. The business is working on a month-by-month lease as of now and will continue to do so, per FMB Council direction, until those Town officials decide on what to do.
“It is 300 square feet of the most prime real estate on Fort Myers Beach owned by the Town of Fort Myers Beach, which means everybody, that somebody has an option to do business on,” said Mayor Anita Cereceda during discussion at Monday’s workshop.
Prior to the session, Town staff had prepared a Request For Proposals for the specific area. According to Town records, the scope of services being requested was stated to be a “well-qualified provider of visitor information services” and that “the Town recognizes the value of tourism to the local economy.”
“Our Request For Proposals is specifically for an information booth,” said Councilwoman Rexann Hosafros. “The question is do we want to limit ourselves, or should we throw out the whole idea of a business and say it should be for the public benefit? Should it be a first aid station or a sheriff station? I’m not advocating any of these.”
From a business perspective, more revenue could possibly come out the 20′ by 15′ space. The Town currently leases it for $214 per month. Hours of operation of the area of extended use is 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“The Town has never acted, as for example the County does with their space on the pier, bidding that space out,” said Cereceda. “I just think that we as a Council need to decide if we want an informational kiosk there or if we want a business there that pays market rate and the Town benefits from that. I think that is a conversation we need to have.”
It may come down to an RFP -based upon decision, such as best revenue source- versus Request For Qualifications -where a business qualifies based upon their criteria.
Town Attorney Dawn Perry-Lehnert stated both processes could be done within the RFP process.
“It is possible to make the RFP a two-step process and do both of those,” she said. “In other words, there are certain qualifications and, if you meet those, then you can go on to open your proposal. If that is important to you, then you can do it in one process.”
FMB Area Chamber of Commerce President Bud Nocera believes having the Chamber’s Caravel Airstream mobile information trailer named “Roxie” within the square would be a great “economic engine” for businesses on the Beach.
The Chamber briefly occupied the space next door to Tours and Information Center, Inc., but had to move its visitor information trailer from its perch in Times Square, back in February, due to an exclusivity clause in the permit held by Tours and Information Center, Inc. The stay was less than one month.
The “Roxie” promotes businesses but does not sell tickets like Tours and Information Center, Inc. Information center businesses answer questions, refer businesses and make calls to aid visitors seeking specific guidance.
During public comment before the agenda item was brought up, it was Nocera that pitched the consideration of an RFQ over the RFP.
“I do believe it is possible for the Town to get the price that they are looking for by seeking qualified applicants and negotiating going forward,” he said.
Cereceda received a public suggestion that the space should be offered to each of the Beach’s service clubs on a monthly rotation basis for promotional purposes.
“It’s a commodity on Fort Myers Beach,” she said. “We (could also) let the Kia dealership have it for a month, and we have our fireworks paid. It’s space that I think we need to consciously decide on what is going to be there.”
Councilman Alan Mandel pointed out that Town Parks and Recreation officials have tried to rent out Times Square space to car dealerships for major sponsorship of fireworks, but they were unsuccessful.
“I think it is still worth pursuing,” he said.
Hosafros would like Town officials to continue to seek best utilization of space in the heart of Fort Myers Beach.
“My vote is that I would like to explore the highest and best use for this,” she said, “especially since we had a very small increase in our millage rate this year. Maybe we don’t want to have a long-term (lease). Maybe we would like to have short-term (leases). You get more rent out of seasonal rentals than you do on year-round (rentals).”
Council directed Town staff to look into options and bring back information to the policy makers for discussion at the Oct. 19 workshop, slated for 10 a.m.
Town looks at options for Times Square space
Space within Times Square that is owned by the Town of Fort Myers Beach is being looked into for a potentially better revenue source than what is currently being leased out for.
The lease agreement for the paver area that houses Tours and Information Center, Inc. within that pedestrian plaza expired Sept. 30. The business is working on a month-by-month lease as of now and will continue to do so, per FMB Council direction, until those Town officials decide on what to do.
“It is 300 square feet of the most prime real estate on Fort Myers Beach owned by the Town of Fort Myers Beach, which means everybody, that somebody has an option to do business on,” said Mayor Anita Cereceda during discussion at Monday’s workshop.
Prior to the session, Town staff had prepared a Request For Proposals for the specific area. According to Town records, the scope of services being requested was stated to be a “well-qualified provider of visitor information services” and that “the Town recognizes the value of tourism to the local economy.”
“Our Request For Proposals is specifically for an information booth,” said Councilwoman Rexann Hosafros. “The question is do we want to limit ourselves, or should we throw out the whole idea of a business and say it should be for the public benefit? Should it be a first aid station or a sheriff station? I’m not advocating any of these.”
From a business perspective, more revenue could possibly come out the 20′ by 15′ space. The Town currently leases it for $214 per month. Hours of operation of the area of extended use is 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“The Town has never acted, as for example the County does with their space on the pier, bidding that space out,” said Cereceda. “I just think that we as a Council need to decide if we want an informational kiosk there or if we want a business there that pays market rate and the Town benefits from that. I think that is a conversation we need to have.”
It may come down to an RFP -based upon decision, such as best revenue source- versus Request For Qualifications -where a business qualifies based upon their criteria.
Town Attorney Dawn Perry-Lehnert stated both processes could be done within the RFP process.
“It is possible to make the RFP a two-step process and do both of those,” she said. “In other words, there are certain qualifications and, if you meet those, then you can go on to open your proposal. If that is important to you, then you can do it in one process.”
FMB Area Chamber of Commerce President Bud Nocera believes having the Chamber’s Caravel Airstream mobile information trailer named “Roxie” within the square would be a great “economic engine” for businesses on the Beach.
The Chamber briefly occupied the space next door to Tours and Information Center, Inc., but had to move its visitor information trailer from its perch in Times Square, back in February, due to an exclusivity clause in the permit held by Tours and Information Center, Inc. The stay was less than one month.
The “Roxie” promotes businesses but does not sell tickets like Tours and Information Center, Inc. Information center businesses answer questions, refer businesses and make calls to aid visitors seeking specific guidance.
During public comment before the agenda item was brought up, it was Nocera that pitched the consideration of an RFQ over the RFP.
“I do believe it is possible for the Town to get the price that they are looking for by seeking qualified applicants and negotiating going forward,” he said.
Cereceda received a public suggestion that the space should be offered to each of the Beach’s service clubs on a monthly rotation basis for promotional purposes.
“It’s a commodity on Fort Myers Beach,” she said. “We (could also) let the Kia dealership have it for a month, and we have our fireworks paid. It’s space that I think we need to consciously decide on what is going to be there.”
Councilman Alan Mandel pointed out that Town Parks and Recreation officials have tried to rent out Times Square space to car dealerships for major sponsorship of fireworks, but they were unsuccessful.
“I think it is still worth pursuing,” he said.
Hosafros would like Town officials to continue to seek best utilization of space in the heart of Fort Myers Beach.
“My vote is that I would like to explore the highest and best use for this,” she said, “especially since we had a very small increase in our millage rate this year. Maybe we don’t want to have a long-term (lease). Maybe we would like to have short-term (leases). You get more rent out of seasonal rentals than you do on year-round (rentals).”
Council directed Town staff to look into options and bring back information to the policy makers for discussion at the Oct. 19 workshop, slated for 10 a.m.