Crestwood Board OKs Sappington Barn Center Request for Proposals

Vacant Sappington Barn Center now has a chance at new life. During Tuesday’s meeting, Director of Public Services James Eckrich gave a presentation and fielded questions regarding the city accepting requests for proposals to lease the property.

Since early 2000, the Barn has had four different restaurant managers. With the exception of limited rentals scheduled through the Sappington House Foundation and the resident manager, there has been no permanent tenant.

“At times it’s been successful, at times it has not, which is why there has been such a turnover,” Eckrich said.

Eckrich’s proposal, in conjunction with City Administrator Petree Eastman’s recommendation, includes the RFP, which solicits proposals for any use of the Barn, which may or may not include a restaurant component. The proposal also stated Eckrich’s opinion that “considering alternative possibilities is appropriate at this time and may result in a more stable use of the property and consistent revenue stream to the city.”

The main item in question was that of who would pay utilities. Eckrich wanted the RFP verbiage to reflect generic language that the operator of the Barn would pay a fixed amount of some kind without a specific dollar figure. In the past, operators reimbursed the city 100 percent for the phone bill, however payment allotment of other utilities such as water and electricity were still under consideration.

“The basis for my hang up about the utilities is if it was some sort of catering facility, the utilities would be higher than what we saw from the Tea Room,” Mayor Jeff Schlink said. “I just want to carve out an amount of what the city is responsible for.”

Monthly rental on the property would be a fixed amount to be determined at a later date, and potential operators would be expected to propose how they would pay.

The previous tenant made some modifications to the interior of the building, removing the interior wall and putting in a counter. They also bought equipment, a small amount of which was donated to the city or the site itself.

“There are about $10,000 in exterior improvements, not including the roof, which needs to be done,” Eckrich said. “The trust has agreed to contribute $10,000 toward the repair for the barn. We’ve received three bids on that and are going to try to move on that fairly quickly. It will eventually need some roofing work. I’m guessing that will be about $15,000 or so.”

Request for Proposal packets are available at the Department of Public Works, the Crestwood Community Center and the Sappington House Museum. Approval of a final contract between the city and the operator is subject to the approval of the Crestwood Board of Aldermen. Proposals are due Tuesday, April 3, to the City of Crestwood Government Center.