HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-02-24 03-97 ORDERCOUNCIL ACIIOX
Item No. 03-97
Date: February 24, 2003
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Responsible Department: Business and Economic Development/Bass Park
Commentary: For many years the CM of Bangor has explored the possibility of private
management for the Bangor Auditonum and Civic Center. With the continuing development of
the proposed Eastern Maine Arena and Convention Center, the issue of engaging the services of
a private management firm should be explored.
In order to fully evaluate the potential for such an operation, it will be necessary to issue a
Request for Qualifications from experienced organizations wishing to provide private
management for the Auditorium, Civic Center, Bangor State Fair, and proposed Arena and
Convention Center. In addition to management activities, the agreement may include
consulting services associated with the development and opening of a new facility.
The Business and Economic Development Committee has revlewed this on two occasions and
recommends approval.
Department Head
Mana eY�s Comments:
S'% City Manager
Assaciaied Information: 67rk ck+7 Qf9 &iVOW f
Budget Approval: +/
Finance Director
Legal Approval:
City Solicitor
Introduced for
-2L Passage
_ First Reading
_ Referral
Page i of I
O3-97
Assigned to Councilor Palmer February 24, 2003
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CITY OF BANGOR
QITLE.) OMB, Authorizing the Issuance for Qualifications In Consideration
Private M n ement for the Bangor Auditorium and Cut; CenterlEastern Maine Arena and
Convention Cerner
By the City Coundt of the Oty of &n9ar'
WHEREAS, R is the wish of the City Council to fully explore the possibility of engaging private
management for the current Bangor Auditorium and Civic Center and Bangor State
Fair; and
WHEREAS, private management would play a significant role in the development of the new
Eastern Maim Arena and Convention Center; and
WHEREAS, the utilization of a private management firm would allow the City to tap into a vast
system of entertainment and convention options through that organization's
network of Industry contacts; and
WHEREAS, the Issue of private management has been discussed and pursued by the City of
Bangor in the past; and
WHEREAS, should the decision to engage a private management firm be approved, R Is the
desire of the City Council to work with an organization that will to the fullest
extent possible utilize the current staff and management team already in place;
and
WHEREAS, It will be necessary to conduct a search of regional, national and international
firms to select the best option to manage that Ctys entertainment and convention
assets.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED BY THE CIT/ COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR THAT,
the City Manager is hereby authorized to issue a Request for Qualifications, select, and
negottate with a qualified firm or firms to provide private management for the Bangor
Auditorium and Civic Center, Bangor State Fair, and the proposed Eastern Maine Arena and
Comrention Center.
IP CITY COgNCIL
February 26, 2003
Motion Made and Secoaded
Passed
0 03-9]
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(TITLE,) Authorizins the Issuance of a Bequest
for Qualifications in Consideration of Private
Manayemeot for the Burger Auditarim and Civic
conterifftaratif
Center
Assigned b CouncilorI`Tl/,I�
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REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
PRIVATE MANAGEMENT SERVICES
BANGOR AUDITORIUM
CIVIC CENTER
BANGOR STATE FAIR
PRE -OPENING SERVICES
FOR THE
PROPOSED
EASTERN MAINE ARENA
AND
CONVENTION CENTER
03-97
The City of Bangor is the primary service center for eastern and northem Maine
and offers a diversified economy including commercial and retail services, health
ore, education, manufacturing, and military operations. With a current
unemployment rate of 2.5%, Bangor was recently recognized as one of twelve
"Pockets of Prosperity" in the nation by Businessrvsek.
The City has a population of approximately 32,000, and is the core municipality
with a Metropolitan Statisdol Area of approximately 92,500. A recent study
conducted by Convention Sports & Leisure (C5&Q, identified a population of
more than 300,000 within a 50 -mile radius of Bangor.
The City of Bangor currently owns and operates the Bass Park complex, which
consists of the 6,000 seat Bangor Auditorium, Bangor Civic Center, Bangor State
fair and fairgrounds, and the Bangor raceway. Approximately 300,000 people
annually attend events at the Bangor Auditorium and Civic Center, including
those who stand the 10 -day Bangor State Fair. The City is the general
contractor for the state fair and has a contract with Fiesta Shaws to operate the
fair midway. This contract remains in effect through 2006. The Bangor Raceway
is leased to Bangor Historic Track for the purposes of operating a harness racing
meet on the grounds, consisting of a racetrack, grandstand, horse bams, and
various support facilities. Bangor Historic Track is currently negotiating with the
City for a lease extension and for the ability to undertake various improvements
to the property including a new and larger track and new grandstand.
The City is proposing to construct a state of the art arena and convention center
in downtown Bangor to replace the Auditorium and Civic Center. A study
performed by HOK and CSU outlines the market and financial analysis for a new
facility as well as the building program. The new facility will consist of
approximately 7,500 fixed seats, Bat floor and convention center space, and
supporting facilities. Copies of this report are available upon request.
The City is committed to aggressively pursuing this new facility. It must be
recognized, however, that at this point the City does not have the financing in
place nor has a reliable financing mechanism been identified W support the
capital expenditure required to construct such a complex.
03-9)
Objective of the Request for Qualifications
The City of Bangor Is soliciting written proposals from qualified organizations to
provide private management for the operation of the Bangor Auditorium and
Civic Center, Bangor State Fair, and the proposed new arena and convention
center. In addition, the City may require pre -opening consulting services for the
new facility. It is the intent of the City to negotiate and enter into an agreement
with the successful company to provide such services.
In order to properly evaluate the potential management organization, in depth
information on the following topics must be presented:
1. Structure of your organization, including but not limited to:
-Ownership structure.
Professional experience, including a listing of the venues that are
currently under your management control, particularly those of similar size
and structure to the City's current and proposed facilites. In addition
focus should be given to facilities of similar size and structure.
-List and provide an overview of the facilities within New England that you
currently manage.
2. Provide an overview of your capacity to operate entertainment and
convention complexes, including but not limited to:
-Entertainment experience - Proven experience in operating a multi-
purpose entertainment complex that attracts quality performers and
sizable crowds.
-Convention/Conference experience - Proven experience and background
in the convention/conference business including convention attraction,
support and facility management.
-Fair management - Background and ability to operate and manage an
annual state fair with agricultural and midway operations.
3. Provide an overview of your experience and approach to advertising sales.
4. Provide an overview of the mmpany's financial capability, sufficient to
show the ability of the company to support the fiscal needs of the facilities
and operations that will be managed. The availability of both Investment
capital and operational capital will be considered in determining financial
capability. In addition, provide Information about the company's
willingness to provide capital toward the proposed facility to be
constructed, and for what purposes such capital would be earmarked for
in the building program.
03-9]
5. Outline the companys food and beverage quallficatlons and how it might
approach upgrading such operations at the current facility and at the
Bangor State Fair.
6. What is your. organization's philosophy regarding current employees of the
City at Bass Park? What has your practice been in the past when
assuming control of a facility previously managed by either a
governmental unit or another private firm? Please also outline the general
benefit package provided to your employees.
Z Please outline your preferred financial arrangements between your
organization and the owner of a managed complex. While specific dollar
figures are not required at this time, the City is interested in your general
approach toward management and -consulting fees, concession fees,
annual budgets, performance incentives, and other financial arrangements
for the facilities you currently operate under management contracts.
Preopening Services — A primary focus of any agreement between the parties
Will be the ability of a proposer to provide pre -opening consulting services in
preparation for the potential of a new arena and convention center in Bangor.
Provide an Overview of how you would supply services for the following tasks:
1. Pre -Opening Services.
-Planning and programming.
-Design, development and construction services.
-Preopening operation tasks.
2. Furnishings, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E) Consulting Services. ,
3. Advertising Consulting Services.
-Working with the City on naming rights planning and procurement.
-Premium seating planning and advertising.
-Approach to advertising sales at a new facility.
03-97
Information regarding the submission of the request for qualifcations:
Issuing office - The request for qualifications is issued by the City of Bangor.
Inquiries Involving procedural or technical matters should be directed to:
Edward Barrett
Jonathan Daniels
City of Bangor
73 Harlow Street
Bangor, Maine 04401
207-9454400
Submission of proposals —All qualifications should be submitted and delivered to:
David Pellegrino, Purchasing Agent
City of Bangor
73 Harlow Street
Bangor, Maine 04401
207-945-4400
To be considered, proposals sealed in an envelope clearly marked "Bass Park
Proposal" must be received by March 26, 2003 in the Purchasing Department,
Bangor City Hall, 73 Harlow Street, Bangor Mame 04401, at which time they will
be opened and made public.
Requests for tours of the facility should be arranged through Mike Dyer, Director
of Bass Park, at 207-947-5555.
Upon receiving qualifications the City of Bangor may choose to conduct
interviews with one or more of the organizations interested in providing
management services. Upon selection of a qualified fine, the City of Bangor will
negotiate with the selected parry on all contractual terms and conditions within
45 days after official notification.
The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals received.
Proposers should recognize that the acceptance of a proposal indicates only that
the City will enter into negotiations with the successful proposer. The
acceptance of a proposal does not commit the City or proposer to enter into such
an agreement.