[Mpls] John Erwin Response To DQ Concerns.

[John Erwin]

Hello Everyone!   I would like to take a moment to discuss some of the rational for considering Dairy Queen concessions at the Lake Harriet and Calhoun sites.  My mind is, by no means, made up on this issue!  I would absolutely prefer a local business as well!  Also, no one, including me, wants to make a ‘food court’ out of our parks!  The reasons for considering alternative concessions are to 1) enhance people’s experience in the parks, and 2) to break even or even generate revenue for the park system.  A couple comments:   1) Currently, the concessions stands at Lake Harriet and Calhoun are losing money.  I do believe that food concessions are better served by those who do it professionally rather than the Park Board.  This view is shared by many!  A request was sent out for proposals from various businesses to run concessions at these sites.  Additional calls were made to a number of local businesses asking them to submit requests.  Only 5 businesses responded.  Of those, Dairy Queen was clearly the best choice – no other ice cream businesses responded, they had the greatest potential on paper for revenue, and there are many folks who like Dairy Queen products!   2) I voted to proceed with the Dairy Queen contract in the Administration and Finance committee with the following contingencies: a. The contract be reduced from 5 to 3 years, b. That we survey users of the lakes and the local neighborhoods to see what they would like to see at both sites, and c. That the Park Board approves any signage to insure no giant DQ signs!  In fact, I prefer very small signage over the windows only.   3) I do believe there is great potential and public desire for a concessions site at Calhoun that includes seating on decking over the water, and with multiple LOCAL vendors including coffee, wine and chess, or other concessions that I have heard an interest in.  We need time to put something together if the public wants this!   4) I view Dairy Queen as a short term solution while we develop a long-term plan that is exactly what users and neighbors want.  Why lose money in the mean time?  That is why I insisted on the 3 year contract and why I also insisted on getting the needed input!  Dairy Queen may or may not be part of the system after 3 years.   Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns ([EMAIL PROTECTED]).  I am very interested in hearing what everyone thinks!  So far, I have been hearing half for and half against! My vote at the March 6 board meeting will be based on your input!  Hope these comments are helpful and thanks Annie for starting a dialogue!   Sincerely, John Erwin Commissioner At-Large Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board