North Adams Airport Eyes Restaurant Flexibility
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Although the Airport Commission has yet to approve the newest iteration of the airport restaurant Request for Proposals (RFP), members are nearing a final draft and plan to hold a special meeting to complete the document.
The commission voted Tuesday to table final approval of the RFP to allow time for concluding edits, which they expect to discuss and potentially approve on April 1.
"I just want to keep this rolling," Commissioner Dean Bullett said.
The commission worked with Procurement and Grant Coordinator Thomas Peterson to review the current draft, pushing for greater flexibility within the document. There was a general consensus among members that past RFPs have been too rigid, contributing to the vacancy.
"The goal is to get someone in here to be our tenant," Commissioner William Hooper said. "We want to be protective of the facility, but we don't want to end up being tough guys about everything that could be in the way of a successful conclusion to this."
The commission has envisioned a restaurant in the renovated administrative building for years; however, after multiple RFPs went unanswered, the space has remained a shell.
Bullett noted that the draft currently describes serving three meals a day, six days a week, as both "preferred but not required" and "strongly preferred." Bullett argued this language was dissuasive to potential applicants and asked that it be removed.
"Outside of fast food, can you think of anyone that serves all three meals?" he asked. "I would strike that."
While the commission agreed to remove the three-meal preference, they felt some weight should still be placed on serving lunch.
Regarding operating hours, the commission sought to allow for the seasonal fluctuations common in the local restaurant industry. They also moved to give the future tenant the autonomy to adjust their hours without seeking formal commission approval.
The commission also pushed back on a proposed lease structure that asked for $1,500 a month, with an additional $500 tacked on during summer months for patio use.
"I think by splitting it up and nitpicking, we may be causing issues," said Commissioner Rita Sporbert.
The commission agreed to nix the $500 add-on in favor of a flat $1,500 monthly fee.
The conversation then shifted to the RFP evaluation method. Peterson explained that he would perform the initial screening to ensure proposals meet legal requirements and city standards. He proposed an evaluative sheet for the commission to rate the top proposals using categories such as "advantageous," "highly advantageous," and "unacceptable."
However, the commission asked for more latitude, with members feeling the evaluation form was too restrictive for their needs.
"That subtlety is going to come from people with a lot of history here who know what the best result will be," Hooper said.
Peterson stated he preferred a more "rigid" evaluation method, noting it creates a more level playing field and minimizes personal bias. In response, Bullett suggested that weighing certain categories could allow for measurable nuance while maintaining a standard structure.
On the topic of lease length, the commission felt five years was appropriate, as it aligns with the terms of business loans a new owner might require. Andrew Fitch — a city councilor, business owner, and former interim commissioner — attended the meeting and agreed that five years was the sweet spot.
"I think five years is pretty common as much as I understand ... it made sense for us and it makes sense for this," Fitch said.
He applauded the commission's shift toward a more open RFP process.
"I love the way you are thinking flexibly about this because it is hard," Fitch said. "We don't have the population to really support robust business, so you have to be creative ... I think extreme flexibility is the right approach."
Peterson will incorporate these edits before providing the commission with the revised document. The commission will reconvene on April 1 for a special meeting to make final edits and approvals, positioning the RFP for an April release.
In other business, the commission:
• Officially accepted donated kitchen equipment from Williams College. The equipment will be delivered to the space but will not be hooked up, allowing the future tenant to determine the layout. The city will retain ownership of the equipment.
• Approved a contract to install security cameras at the airport.
• Heard from Sue Mead, the airport's new Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association representative.
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