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Clinton might hire consultant to help find marina restaurant operator

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By Steven Martens | Thursday, September 04, 2008 |

CLINTON, Iowa — The City of Clinton is considering hiring a consulting firm to conduct the search for someone to operate the restaurant inside the city’s marina amenities building.

The building, part of the city’s new $7 million marina, is expected to be completed in October, City Administrator Gary Boden said.

Clinton’s City Services Committee heard a presentation Thursday from GEC Consultants, a company based in Skokie, Ill., that specializes in hospitality development.

Tim Borden, a senior associate for the company, said after an initial evaluation of the amenities building and its location, he believes the building has the potential to offer a riverside dining experience no other restaurant in the area can offer.

“We think it has tremendous potential as a location,” he said.

The restaurant features seating for about 200 people inside and about 75 more on the deck overlooking the Mississippi River.

Company president Lloyd Gordon said it would be critical for the city to hire a restaurant operator who is established and successful, and that the restaurant be able to draw customers from other communities.

The company’s proposal includes doing research into the local market, creating a space utilization plan and business plan for the restaurant and conducting the search for an operator for about $30,000. Borden said the restaurant could be up and running in about six months.

In supporting a motion to recommending hiring the firm to the full City Council, council member Ron Mallicoat, At-Large, said with the money the city already has invested in the building, city officials must choose a restaurant operator who will be successful.

“We’ve only got one chance to get this thing up and running,” he said.

Steven Martens can be contacted at (563) 659-2595 or smartens@qctimes.com.