Lynn officials eye restaurant for vacant building

LYNN – A request for proposals has been issued for 147-153 Central St., and according to the stipulations, it looks like city officials are hoping to turn the troubled spot into a hot spot.”It’s the old Kevin’s Cultural Corner,” said Ward 4 Councilor Richard Colucci. “The guy tried to revive it, but it didn’t work.”The city claimed the building in 2013 after the owner failed to pay his tax bill. Colucci said the city was also ready to call it quits with the club that has a long history of trouble.In July 2013, the building sustained nearly $1,000 in damages when fireworks exploded, blowing a hole in the roof. In 2012 it suffered a liquor license suspension after serving alcohol after hours, and in 2013 it was hit with a five-day license suspension due to two separate incidents. The first incident involved a violation in which alcohol was served to a minor and the second included another underage woman who was allegedly kicked in the face and shot in the leg outside the club.Colucci said he is hoping a nice restaurant will bid on the 1,959-square-foot space. Economic Development Industrial Corporation Executive Director James Cowdell had hoped to bring the small corner restaurant under EDIC’s umbrella, but Colucci said in December he wouldn’t give it up without a fight. Both men have the same idea for usage, however.Colucci said the request for proposals is geared toward attracting a restaurant. With the success of Rossetti Restaurant, located right around the corner on Sutton Street, and The Blue Ox just down the road on Oxford Street, both Cowdell and Colucci said the area could clearly support another eatery.”But there are a lot of stipulations,” Colucci said.The successful bidder must have extensive prior experience as a restaurant owner and be able to provide references attesting to such, and he or she must demonstrate financial capability. City Attorney James Lamanna said the building needs more than $100,000 in repairs.”We want to make sure they’re not going to put all their money into buying the business and have nothing left to fix the building,” he said. “That’s not going to work.”The bidder also has to sell his or her vision in a letter that essentially lays out how he or she will manage the business, complete with a detailed work plan, organizational charts, menus and scope of services. Background checks must be offered up and criminal history revealed in regards to bidders. The bidder must also show he or she has been through a responsible (alcohol) serving program and explain what makes his or her proposed business unique.Despite the intensive RFP experience, Lamanna said he’s heard there are eight or 10 bidders interested in the property.Once the bids are in, Lamanna said a review committee made up of Colucci, Ward 5 Councilor Dianna Chakoutis and Inspectional Services Director Michael Donovan will read through the applications.”And they will award the winning bid keeping in mind the best offer as well as what’s best for the city,” he said.Bids are due on or before May 27 no later than 2 p.m.