This big bar room and the patio should be ran just like any other business venture and for the profits going strictly to the city and nobody else. If this bar room and area is being used by anyone there should be a rental fee along with a rental agreement. All rentals out of that building should be made accessible to the public for accountability and transparency so we the taxpayers know this place is being ran and used properly. The records on this property should be an open book, if not how does the public know their tax dollars aren't being abused by handing over these rental spaces without the proper rental agreements and prices. Why would the city pass up such an opportunity to make this kind of revenue on alcohol sales and just give that opportunity to someone else? There are generous profits to be made on the sale of alcoholic beverages. If this situation turns out to true and is being allowed, I would like to know what procedures were followed that allowed it in the first place. Was this situation announced, did the city make it public knowledge that even though this bar area was renovated and built, the city didn't want any part of it? Did they take bids on this bar space and compare them to negotiate the best deal for the city? Did they negotiate and go with the best bid and negotiate a time frame for the lease of the bar?
This is a newly renovated, very costly investment for the city. The building is beautiful and will be a huge draw once the word spreads. Eventually the booking calendar will be filled with events of all kinds, those bookings will be accompanied with many guests all looking for full bar service, with money to spend in their pockets for the entire evening. We all know how those wedding receptions are, drink-dance-drink some more. It not only puzzles me, but it makes me very suspicious why we are facing this situation. How, when and why was it decided to give this money making opportunity to a private citizen/business owner without the public being notified of this opportunity? Why were other businesses and citizens not given the chance to bid on this opportunity? But the biggest question of all is, why did the city not take advantage of this opportunity to get a return on our investment? Why hand if off to anyone at all? It sure wasn't a result of budget issues, or not having the funds to hire bartenders or being able to afford the necessary insurances needed, not with the grants and monies that were being invested to make this idea turned into a reality.
There are so many unanswered questions about this situation, and someone sure needs to clear these questions up to the public.