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New owners hope to operate concession stand in Ogdensburg Greenbelt; no vendor found for Dobisky Center

Posted 4/30/16

By JIMMY LAWTON OGDENSBURG – Although the city is struggling to fill the Dobisky Center Concession stand, it appears food will be available in city’s “Greenbelt.” The city council called for …

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New owners hope to operate concession stand in Ogdensburg Greenbelt; no vendor found for Dobisky Center

Posted

By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG – Although the city is struggling to fill the Dobisky Center Concession stand, it appears food will be available in city’s “Greenbelt.”

The city council called for a public hearing Monday to approve M&T Concessions’ use of city property to operate a seasonal food and beverage concession in the Greenbelt.

The meeting is set for May 9 at 7 p.m. at City Hall and is open to the public.

If approved, Mary Jo and Tom Montana will operate the business.

While the owners are new, the concession stand itself is the same one that was operated by Scott Strader for several years.

Ogdensburg Parks and Recreation Director Curatolo said he is pleased that food and beverages will be available in one of the city’s key tourist areas.

The stand will operate from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. from May 1 to August 31.

The menu will include Hoffmann hotdogs, fresh cut French fries, fired bread dough, Philly cheese steaks, sweet Italian sausages with peppers and onions, nachos, snow-cones, soda and bottled water.

Meanwhile the city still hopes to find a vendor to operate the concession stand in the Dobisky Visitors’ Center.

The city is requesting proposals from qualified vendors with the deadline now extended to May 6.

Curatolo said some interest has been expressed to him, but no proposals have been submitted as of April 27.

The kitchen is 389 square feet and includes basic commercial kitchen equipment and appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, grill, fryers and a stove.

Monthly rent is negotiable but water, electric, natural gas and trash pickup are not included.

Last year councilor Jennifer Stevenson suggested the city should consider turning the space into a local history display and selling the equipment, as there had been a lack of interest from entrepreneurs. However, because some of the equipment was purchased with grant funding, it could not be easily resold.

Inspection of the premises is encouraged and may be arranged by contacting Matt Denner, Facilities Manager, at mdenner@ogdensburg.org or 393-1980.

Inquiries regarding the RFP may be addressed to Matthew Curatolo, Director of Parks & Recreation, at 393-1980 or by email to mcuratolo@ogdensburg.org.

The request for proposals is available here.