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AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A CONCESSION PERMIT AGREEMENT WITH NAFSI, LLC FOR THE RENOVATION AND YEAR-ROUND OPERATION OF THE RESTAURANT SPACE AT SOUTH SHORE CULTURAL CENTER
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To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District
I. Recommendation
Pursuant to Chapter IX of the Code of the Chicago Park District, it is recommended that the General Superintendent and CEO or her designee enter into a Concession Permit Agreement with NAFSI, LLC for the renovation and year-round operation of the restaurant space at South Shore Cultural Center. The concessionaire was selected pursuant to a publicly advertised Notice of Availability. No work may commence, and no payment shall be made by the vendor prior to the execution of a written Concession Permit Agreement.
II. Award Information
Concessionaire: NAFSI, LLC
7857 S. Woodlawn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60619
Company Type: Limited Liability Corporation (LLC)
Majority Interests: Donnell Digby 100%
Concession Permit
Agreement Term: Ten (10) years.
Scope of Services: Renovation and year-round operation of the restaurant space at South Shore Cultural Center.
Affirmative
Action Goals: The Minority-Owned Participation for this contract is 100%.
Authorization: Authorize UCG Associates, Inc. (“UCG”), the Park District’s concession program manager, to include other relevant terms and conditions in the written Concession Permit Agreement. Authorize UCG to execute the Concession Permit Agreement. Authorize UCG to keep an original copy of the Concession Permit Agreement on file.
III. Business Terms
See Exhibit A
IV. Notice of Availability and Selection Process
Date Notice of Availability Advertised: December 7, 2020
Pre-submittal Meeting: December 14, 2020
Application Due Date: January 18, 2021
Number of Applications Received: Seven (7)
The Department of Revenue (“Revenue”) publicly advertised this Notice of Availability (“NOA”) which described the opportunity. The NOA also included some of the terms and conditions that will be part of the Concession Permit Agreement (e.g. termination for convenience) and a detailed itemization of the concessionaire’s non-reimbursable operating expenses. Additionally, the NOA instructed applicants to complete and submit as part of their application: (i) a detailed description of their proposed restaurant; (ii) proposed business terms; and (iii) a description of the applicant’s experience.
The NOA was made available for download at the Chicago Park District’s Concession Program Management Agent’s home page, and Revenue also undertook efforts to announce the NOA including, posting advertisements in fieldhouses, and informing Park Advisory Councils, Aldermanic offices, and the Illinois Restaurant Association. Seven applications were received and all applicants participated in a site visit. Upon initial review by UCG all were deemed responsive. The firms offered highly competitive proposals and UCG requested additional details at several points throughout the review process. Upon conclusion of the review process, UCG recommended NAFSI for award.
V. Explanation
The Chicago Park District (“CPD”) requires the services of a concessionaire for the renovation and year-round operation of the existing restaurant space at South Shore Cultural Center. The facility is located in South Shore Park on the shore of Lake Michigan at 7059 South Shore Drive. Located within a Chicago Historic Landmark and architectural gem, the restaurant space formerly known as Parrot Cage Restaurant was operated by city Colleges of Chicago and served the community for more than 10 years. The target is to have restaurant renovations complete and ready for operation in summer 2022.
The professionals at the helm of NAFSI each have a minimum of 10 years of experience in Chicago’s flourishing hospitality industry. They have operated and managed a successful neighborhood restaurant called The Woodlawn for five years. The restaurant has since become a staple in the Avalon Park community offering a variety of menu items and amenities such as an internet café, a rooftop garden, and group yoga classes. The restaurant manager has over 15 years’ experience managing food service with the Aramark Compass Group. The Executive Chef perfected his culinary skills at CHANTZ restaurant in Hyde Park, where he developed menu items for 10 years.
NAFSI will honor the legacy of the South Shore community by accentuating the beauty of the nature sanctuary, vitality of the beach, and the soul of the neighborhood; often referred to as the Soul Coast. NAFSI meaning is “soul” in Arabic, Swahili, and other languages.
NAFSI proposes a historically sensitive, culturally rich, luxurious interior design concept that will allow the landmark to maintain its traditional and historic atmosphere while introducing features and furnishings that propel the space into a modern oasis.
The restaurant design provides flexibility to accommodate both indoor and alfresco dining on the lakefront patio. The concept highlights the coastal dining experience and contributes to the goal of expanding outdoor dining opportunities, an important initiative for the City of Chicago and Chicago Park District both South and West.
The proposed restaurant will feature a diverse menu to satisfy the desires of every diner, ranging from casual American cuisine options such as salads and sliders, to sophisticated entrees such as rack of lamb and surf and turf. Restaurant-goers, golfers and lakefront trail users will be offered a plethora of options at a variety of price points for lunch and dinner on weekdays, and will enjoy expertly curated brunch options on the weekend.
NAFSI, LLC has the experience, capability, and personnel necessary to renovate and operate the restaurant at South Shore Cultural Center. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the Chicago Park District to recommend NAFSI for the award of the concession permit agreement for the renovation and operation of the restaurant space at South Shore Cultural Center.
VI. General Conditions
1) Conflicts: The Agreement shall not be legally binding on the Chicago Park District if entered into in violation of the provisions of 50 ILCS 105, the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act.
2) Ethics: The Chicago Park District’s Ethics Code, Chapter III of the Code of the Chicago Park District, shall be incorporated into and made part of the agreement.
3) Contingent Liability: Any agreement lawfully entered into for a period of more than one year shall be executory only for the amounts for which the Park District may become
liable in succeeding fiscal years pursuant to Section 17(i) of the Chicago Park District Act, 70 ILCS 1505/17(i). All agreements authorized herein shall contain a clause that
any expenditure beyond the current fiscal year is subject to appropriation in the subsequent fiscal year budget.
4) Economic Disclosure Statement (“EDS”): Contractor has submitted a full and complete EDS.