Written byPOCOMOKE CITY -- A new city-constructed restaurant space between the Delmarva Discovery Center and the Pocomoke River moved one step closer to completion Monday night when the mayor and Council accepted a bid from Gillis Gilkerson.
Councilwoman Tracey Cottman said that she was concerned about the deletions, believing they would reduce the quality of the facility. In response Jack E. Mumford III, representing Becker Morgan, the architects, said that there would be little change in the quality of the building, as most of the reduction is in taking off whole sections.
The council voted to pass an $8.5 million budget for the coming fiscal year with little or no change from the figures presented at the previous meeting in June. The new budget calls for a tax rate of 75 cents per $100 on owner-occupied property, the same as last year. The rate on real property that is not owner-occupied will be 80 cents per $100.
When he asked for justification for the increases from the Maryland Transit Authority, he said, he was told there had been no study. He then called the increase a "revenue grab." He said that the Bay Bridge made a $10 million profit last year with the present tolls, adding that a large amount of the increase on its tolls will go to fund the Inter-County Connector on the Western Shore. There is no planned increase in the toll for the ICC, which opened in the past five years.
McDermott said a scheduled public hearing on July 14 would be held at Stephen Decatur High School, and he suggested the mayor or a council member attend and testify.
Under other business, the council voted to waive the real property taxes and the water and sewer fees for the Mar-Va Theater; to give the Great Fair Committee a contribution of $10,000 toward horse racing; to abate taxes for properties in town that do not receive services; and to approve the Eastern Shore Gas Company's plans to change 5,000 feet of steel lines to plastic lines.
Source; http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110630/WCT01/106300325/Pocomoke-approves-600K-for-restaurant?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Worcester County Times|s
The final construction bid, after taking out certain items, came to $599,940. This included reducing the size of the restaurant by two of the proposed four sections, leaving 100 seats inside the building. There would also be 20 seats outside along the river.
Mumford said that one section and a patio could be added back into the plans, increasing the cost by $37,000. He added that this would give the restaurant an additional 30 seats. The council also wanted to add a cupola to the front of the building. It had been in the original plans but was deleted. With these additions, the final cost of the building would be just under $650,000.
City Manager Russell W. Blake said that he had talked to the USDA about funding for the kitchen equipment and the furnishings. He is not sure, he said, but he thinks that the town could get funding for a portion of the expenses.
The council voted to pass an $8.5 million budget for the coming fiscal year with little or no change from the figures presented at the previous meeting in June. The new budget calls for a tax rate of 75 cents per $100 on owner-occupied property, the same as last year. The rate on real property that is not owner-occupied will be 80 cents per $100.
Del. Michael A. McDermott attended the meeting to voice his opposition to the planned toll increase for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Plans are to increase the tolls from the present $2.50 to $5 in October and to $8 in January 2013.
When he asked for justification for the increases from the Maryland Transit Authority, he said, he was told there had been no study. He then called the increase a "revenue grab." He said that the Bay Bridge made a $10 million profit last year with the present tolls, adding that a large amount of the increase on its tolls will go to fund the Inter-County Connector on the Western Shore. There is no planned increase in the toll for the ICC, which opened in the past five years.
McDermott said a scheduled public hearing on July 14 would be held at Stephen Decatur High School, and he suggested the mayor or a council member attend and testify.
Following the delegate's comments the council voted to support his views, by writing a letter to the state officials. Mayor Bruce Morrison said that he would attend the public hearing.
Source; http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110630/WCT01/106300325/Pocomoke-approves-600K-for-restaurant?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Worcester County Times|s
5 comments:
"A new city constructed restaurant space"
Delegate McDermott, there was no 'study' done for this restaurant. Check out the fact that most these days aren't that busy except two owned in town.
It may be popular for a while. but can it hold its own in these tough economic times? According Delegate McDermott a few months ago, I heard him say at a meeting the ambulance company struggles with balancing their budget.
Final question - the city is building it, who profits from it? The city? or the Pocomoke Marketing Partnership? Afterall, who were the officers again of that 'mysterious' organization?
Lets see...some former councilpersons?...current?....city manager? Thats a story.
Am I understanding this correctly? The City wants to spend $650,000 for an empty building that could possibly be a restaurant but they have no idea where the money will come from to buy restaurant equipment or tables and chairs to actually make it a restaurant? And the business plan calls for it to be open three days a week from 5:00 to 9:00 pm? Or is it five days a week from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm? Or is it neither because there is no business plan?
It has been rather clear that the city is erecting a building intended for and designed to be a restaurant. The business plan, then, would be a responsibility of the restaurant management, not the city. Once the building is in place, I am sure that interested persons will present something to the city to compete for a chance to run a restaurant in the city's building. An unusual business opportunity, for sure. Sometimes it is good to step outside of the box to make something happen. In my travels, I see that many small towns have the same problems. Smart city managers, mayors, council people, etc, have to come up with NEW and innovative ideas in order to get small town downtowns revitalized. This is one new idea. More are needed!
Great comment MLS.
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