City looks for tenant for Hoagie’s Heroes

Space is downtown, in Centennial Plaza

With the unexpected closing of Hoagie’s Heroes Sandwiches this past summer, the City of Porterville is now looking for a new restaurant to take its place.

According to a 19-page Request For Proposal [RFP] document the city issued on Friday, the city’s purchasing division is receiving proposals until 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 4 for suites two and three of the 1,875 square foot restaurant lease space located at 298 N. Main St.

The facility, which is part of the city’s Centennial Plaza building, is a two-story, multi-tenant building consisting of seven suites. The majority of the suites are offices with suites two and three being a finished retail restaurant. The remainder of the building is fully leased.

Proposal documents may be obtained in the office of purchasing agent Maria Bemis, who also serves as the city’s finance director. Her office is located inside Porterville’s City Hall, 291 N. Main St. Proposal documents can also be obtained by calling 7827451 and by e-mailing fin-dept@ci.porterville.ca.us.

The city’s community development department will host a pre-proposal inspection of the restaurant facilities at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14.

The proposer, as stated in the RFP, must be experienced in the food, beverage, restaurant industry and be able to operate an effective, healthy and safe public dining, kitchen and restaurant operation.

Additionally, the proposer must have been engaged in the restaurant or general retail business for at least five years and should demonstrate financial responsibility and sufficient resources to finance, develop and operate the restaurant.

The RFP states that proposers should use their best efforts to propose attractive, customer-oriented operations that will support and advance downtown Porterville, which continues to see an influx of new businesses such as San Joaquin Valley College, Deli Delicious and Spoons Frozen Yogurt.

The successful proposer, the RFP states, will be expected to meet or exceed a number of goals and objectives throughout the term of the lease, including providing a

venue where downtown patrons will have access to food and beverage options during community events, providing a clean and inviting dining environment, and providing restaurant designs that are attractive and enhance downtown Porterville.

If chosen, the RFP states that the agreement should be for a period of five years with an option to request an extension of the term for additional periods of five years. The RFP added that the successful proposer should be prepared to begin services immediately.

In terms of rent, the RFP states that the desired base rent is $3,600 per month, which should be adjusted annually by a percentage equal to the annual percentage increase or decrease in the Consumer Price Index as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.

As far as the proposal, the RFP stated that proposers are requested to organize their proposal into five sections. The first section should contain a cover letter, followed by a document containing the organization’s background and experience. The third section should show the organization’s financial qualifications, the fourth a services proposal that includes a menu, meal selection, hours of operation, etc. The last section should include a rent proposal.

The city noted that a screening committee will evaluate the completeness of the response to the RFP.

The RFP also states that proposers should submit one original and three copies of the proposal, enclosed in an envelope that should be sealed and addressed to the purchasing agent, City of Porterville, 291. N. Main St., Porterville, CA 93257. The envelope should be clearly labeled with the proposal title and name of individual or firm submitting the proposal. The City of Porterville will accept submissions no later than 5 p.m., local time, on Monday, Dec. 4. Proposals received after the specified time and date will not be considered.

For more information, visit www.ci.porterville.ca.us/documents/centennialplazarestarauntrfp.pdf.