Request for proposals sought for restaurant operator

STAR JOURNAL REPORT

The city of Rhinelander is looking for someone to operate the Northwood Golf Course restaurant year-round.

The City Council agreed Monday to accept proposals for expanding the restaurant operations at the city-owned golf course because of a shift to year-round activities there. Last year, the city purchased 62 acres of land adjacent to the golf course. That property is being combined with additional land to create a four-season “silent sport” trail system in the area.

“A year-round, destination restaurant will add to the opportunities to develop the Heal Creek property,” said Rhinelander city administrator Kristina Aschenbrenner, who noted the current operator could also submit a proposal.

“We’re kind of opening it up for new ideas, for new ways that could be successful,” Aschenbrenner said. “If someone has a current business model that’s successful somewhere, we want to be able to hear about that.”

Council member Alex Young suggested taking a close look at the proposals the city would receive.

“The restaurant business, it’s difficult to run something in the winter up here,” Young said.

The Northwood Golf Course restaurant is approximately 4,500 square feet, including the bar and kitchen. The golf course hosts around 40 activities throughout the season and has five golf leagues with approximately 30,000 nine-hole rounds played there annually. The restaurant is used for corporate events, weddings and catered gatherings, while the golf course is also the trail head to the Heal Creek trail system.

Interested restaurant operators have until Aug. 31 to submit their plans to the city administrator for consideration. Information packets with forms to be submitted are available at the city clerk’s office or online at: www.rhinelandercityhall.org.

ASSESSOR ALSO SOUGHT

In anticipation of the current assessor retiring, council members also agreed Monday to seek proposals from qualified firms to provide assessment services in the city for a three- or five year contract.

Those proposals, which will be advertised in local media outlets as well as by the Wisconsin League of Municipalities, are due by noon on Sept. 23. Council members are slated to approve the contract in October with the assessor beginning work Jan. 1.