A “mix” of responses has come after the city of Vallejo, Calif. released a request in August for ideas on how to renovate and restore the property, which has two 18-hole courses, so it could operate as an affordable public facility, but independent of subsidies. The city’s agreement with its current management company has been terminated, effective December 31st, after budget projections showed that an $800,000 subsidy would be needed to keep the courses open.
City officials in Vallejo, Calif. are expressing optimism after nine different proposals were submitted recently for the revitalization of Blue Rock Springs Golf Club, the Vallejo Times-Herald reported.
Will Morat, an administrative analyst in the city manager’s office, said the city received a “mix” of proposals, with some groups seeking to manage the day-to-day operations of the course, the Times-Herald reported.
Other applicants indicated they have a strength in a particular area, but to complete their overall plan they would require additional groups/components to be involved with the project, Morat added.
In August, the city released a request for qualifications (RFQ) listing three objectives, the Times-Herald reported, including receiving ideas on how to renovate and restore the course in a manner that would allow it to operate as an affordable public course, but independent of subsidies from the city.
The other two objectives include funding the development of a new or renovated multi-use clubhouse, and preserving or improving the existing aesthetics, quality, property values, environment and views of the surrounding neighborhoods.
The discussion about the future of the two 18-hole courses began in April when Vallejo City Manager Daniel Keen suggested the council consider closing one or both of the courses to save money, the Times-Herald reported.
At the time, budget projections for the 2017-18 fiscal year showed the city would need to provide an $800,000 subsidy to keep the courses open to the public. The subsidy covered operational expenses and debt service.
Keen’s suggestion caused an uproar from neighbors and those who use the courses, the Times-Herald reported. Many worried the city would sell the land to developers keen on building homes.
A month later, the club’s current management firm submitted budget adjustments that would turn a proposed $450,000 operational loss anticipated for 2017-18 fiscal year into a $111,000 profit, the Times-Herald reported. Despite this, the Vallejo City Council in June announced that its current management agreement for the club would end on December 31st of this year.
Morat told the Times-Herald that he was unable to discuss which companies submitted qualifications after the August request, but did confirm that the current management group was included among the nine proposals.
The goal is now to present the proposals to the public and council in November or early December, Morat said. Staff will then ask the council to enter into an exclusive right to negotiate with the winning proposal, allowing both sides to discuss possible terms of an agreement, he told the Times-Herald.
At the same time, Morat added, staff will also submit an interim management agreement that would begin on Janurary 1, 2018.
Because Blue Rock Springs golfers renew their annual memberships in October, those memberships will be honored in the new year, Morat stressed to the Times-Herald.
Employees at the two courses will not be terminated, he added, when the current management contract ends.
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