Beach snack bar staff gives rise to debate

Officials are not sure whether to hire a manager to run the Beach Center snack bar or to lease the space to a private vendor.

By KATHY SAUNDERS

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 6, 2000

TREASURE ISLAND -- Private vendors may get a chance to operate the concession stand at the new Treasure Island Beach Center.

At the request of his bosses, City Manager Chuck Coward said he would come up with specifications the city would require in a contract with a private food service.

In the meantime, the city plans to continue staffing the new center with its own personnel. Commissioners agreed to staff the pavilion with part-time workers for the next 30-60 days.

Since the center was dedicated July 12, the city has compiled several reports of vandalism, particularly in the bathrooms.

Last week, Coward recommended hiring a three-person staff to manage the complex, rent equipment, such as the city's beach wheelchairs, sell snacks, clean the restrooms and rent the pavilion for private parties. He said it would cost $30,000 to $60,000 a year to operate the center, depending on revenues from snack sales and rentals.

All five commissioners said they liked the idea of hiring a manager at the complex, but two of them want the city to consider leasing the concession stand.

"I don't think this city should be in the food-service business," said Commissioner Butch Ellsworth. Commissioner Stephanie Lavino agreed with him.

But Mayor Leon Atkinson and commissioners Mary Maloof and Barbara Blush said most residents in Sunset Beach want only limited food sales at the pavilion.

Coward suggested serving only cold drinks, coffee and snacks. Vending machines would be another option, he said.

"I'm concerned about the neighborhood and I'm concerned about security at the property," Atkinson said. "An entrepreneur is not going to take a chance of running business away."

Blush, who represents Sunset Beach, said neighbors are concerned about food aromas, delivery trucks and other restaurant activities at the center.

"We tore down a place and said there will not be a restaurant there again," Atkinson said.

The beachfront parcel formerly was the site of Bedrox, a bar and restaurant, until 1997, when the city paid $1.325-million for the property. Last year, Treasure Island spent another $350,000 to demolish Bedrox and develop the beach center pavilion and park.

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