Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel District
Sea Gull Island - Food Service and Retail Concession
Request for Proposals
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel District is seeking creative proposals from qualified individuals and companies with expertise in developing and operating food service and/or retail establishments. The District is making available a unique 6,200 square foot restaurant and gift shop located on Sea Gull Island, the southernmost of the CBBT’s four man-made islands. This exclusive location, approximately 3.5 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach, is flanked by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay to the west. The successful Proposer will offer a concept that not only capitalizes on the current trends in food service and retail concessions but exceeds the demands of the travelers of today and tomorrow.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (the “CBBT”) is an engineering marvel that spans the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, connecting Virginia’s Eastern Shore with the Virginia mainland at Virginia Beach. The CBBT is the largest bridge-tunnel complex in the world, measuring 17.6 miles from shore to shore. Following its opening in April 1964, the CBBT was honored as one of the “Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World” and was a recipient of the “Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement” award from the American Society of Civil Engineers. More recently, the CBBT was featured as one of the “Top 10 American Beauties” on Good Morning America and as one of the “World’s Top 10 Bridges” on the Travel Channel. The CBBT is more than just a tourist attraction; it also serves as the “East Coast Scenic Shortcut” by saving travelers 90 miles or more as they travel from Wilmington, Delaware or points north to Virginia Beach, Virginia and the Outer Banks in North Carolina.
Sea Gull Island is an important customer service and revenue-generating amenity for the CBBT. This island provides the traveling public with an opportunity to stop, stretch their legs, grab a bite to eat, cast a line, birdwatch, or just take in the natural beauty and sounds of the Chesapeake Bay. The island features a restaurant and gift shop that has been in operation for 40 years. The island itself is 5 ¼ acres in size, contains parking for more than 230 vehicles (including RVs and tour buses), and provides a free, handicap accessible, 625-foot fishing pier that is open all day-every day.
The District is searching for an operator to develop a locally-themed casual dining restaurant with eat-in and take-out capabilities, to feature a variety of menu items including seafood, hamburgers, deli sandwiches, salad, breakfast, and potentially, a branded coffee concept, as well as to develop a retail area to feature locally-themed gifts, apparel, local food products, and convenience items. Additionally, the District desires to:
· Provide a quality selection of food service and retail concepts that address today’s concession trends and allow for flexibility in a changing environment.
· Provide a high level of customer service with competitive pricing.
· Achieve a balance of local and national products or operator brands, while also showcasing a regional image, businesses, and products whenever possible.
· Provide an environment to enhance the financial success of the operator and the District.
· Provide an area for the operation of a Virginia Beach Tourism Information Center that will be operated by the Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau.
· Capitalize on the unique location by providing an outside dining area on the southside of the existing building.
The Request for Proposal (RFP) documents are currently available upon request. Two pre-proposal meetings are scheduled for Dec. 11, 2009 at 10 a.m. and on Dec. 16, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Administration Building in Cape Charles, Va. Pre-registration is required.
To receive a copy of the RFP documents and to register for the pre-proposal meeting, please visit www.cbbt.com/rfp.html
12 comments:
Joe;
Off topic , but was wondering if you had heard that the Old Saturn building has been sold. I was told that Delmar town officials confirmed the sale, but would not give info as to who bought it. Wondering if you could find out.
I hope someone spruces that place up... it's been a total dump for years.
Thanks Joe for the valued information. So you wnat to be partners or what? lol
yeah but they got the best flounder sandwich (huge) I've ever had
My family and I love to take long rides on weekends, the tunnell is one of our favorite places to go have lunch or dinner.
They should put a Phillips there.
I love the idea of outside dining there. That would be enough for me to stop and eat there.
my flounder sandwich there
was a 20" fish and a 2" bun
it was mighty tasty though
they need a second and maybe a third floor with that small of a footprint to work with;
a themed indoor foodcourt looking like a fishing village would be fun
a third floor play area to let the kids burn some steam would be great too
I love the classic and kitchy feel of the restaurant and shops just the way it is now. Maybe a paint job and some new windows are in order but thats it as far as I am concerned. Love the old timey pine paneling. To do away with the flounder sandwich would be like getting rid of the bald eagle!
All this restaurant needs is some good management!! The food is good, views are awsome, but the place needs to be cleaned up and it would be a nice stop over for all of us. Nice break before driving the long distance to Salisbury or to the Outer Banks
With the cost to cross that bridge I can amagine the cost for the food.
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