Mayor Coleman, Councilmember Brendmoen Announce Como Dockside Selected to Manage Como Lakeside Pavilion

Mayor Coleman, Councilmember Brendmoen Announce Como Dockside Selected to Manage Como Lakeside Pavilion

New venue will reflect community demands for top-notch customer experience, connection to Lake, significant private investment

SAINT PAUL – Mayor Chris Coleman and Councilmember Amy Brendmoen today announced Como Dockside has been selected as the new management partner for the Como Lakeside Pavilion – with plans to open a newly renovated venue as soon as the spring of 2015. The tentative agreement will be reviewed by the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Commission on Dec. 10, before heading to the Saint Paul City Council for final approval on Dec. 17.

“Como Regional Park is one of the state’s most popular destinations,” said Mayor Coleman. “This proposed new venue will not only take full advantage of the unique space situated on the edge of Como Lake, but it will also offer services, food and recreation activities that will make it a vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike.”

Following a lengthy competitive bidding process and community-based evaluation, the selected proposal reflects significant public input and includes a full-service restaurant, catering services, outdoor summer recreation options on the lake, a summer concession stand with direct access from the adjacent walking trails and at least 100 events at a newly renovated outdoor promenade performance area and stage overlooking the lake.

“The Como Lakeside Pavilion is a beautiful and beloved public facility,” said Councilmember Amy Brendmoen. “Launching off the feedback of nearly 1,500 community members, these proven Saint Paul proprietors bring the business acumen, creativity and positive energy that will help bring these visions to life.”

Under the tentative agreement, Como Dockside – whose owners also operate Amsterdam Bar in Saint Paul and the 331 Club in Minneapolis – will be responsible for operations and day-to-day maintenance costs. Como Dockside will also make capital investments totaling $200,000 by June 1, 2015, meet or exceed a series of performance expectations established by the city, and guarantee a minimum $500,000 commission to the city through 2020 – with conservative commission projections surpassing $780,000. With the capital investment and the commission projections combined, the City stands to gain more than $1 million over five years.

“This venue offers incredible potential, and the city successfully negotiated a solid deal in a competitive marketplace,” said Vice President/General Manager of the Saint Paul RiverCentre Jim Ibister, who was asked by the City to review the key tenets of the deal. “There are always two sides to every agreement, and the city has structured the agreement in a way that should allow both Como Dockside and the city to be successful.”

Deal highlights

The following are basic deal points that take effect following an initial start-up period:

• Guaranteed minimum annual revenue payments of $100,000, and an initial capital investment of $200,000 by June 1, 2015
• Monthly revenue commission payments to city totaling nine percent of monthly gross revenue
• Responsibility by Como Dockside for all day-to-day maintenance costs of facility (City retains responsibility for all exterior maintenance)
• A capital investment fund that receives three percent of monthly gross revenue above $150,000 during peak summer months
• Full evaluation of Como Dockside’s performance by the city prior to any potential agreement renewal
• Expanded minimum hours
• Breakfast lunch and dinner options
• Enhanced focus on community amenities and public access
• New recreational amenities – including bocce ball courts, rental equipment and picnic tables
• A summer concession stand with direct access from the adjacent walking trails
• At least 100 events at a newly renovated outdoor promenade performance area and stage overlooking the lake

Therese Kelly, a former Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Commissioner and member of the 14 person review committee who helped select Como Dockside added, “We have seen the venues like Tin Fish and Sandcastle take off in Minneapolis and to really become destinations. As a community member, I am excited to see a similarly dynamic entity take hold in this unique setting.”

Como Dockside will take over the facility beginning January 5, 2015, with its grand opening tentatively scheduled for late spring of 2015. Como Dockside will announce plans in the near future for how new event bookings can be made starting in 2015.

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