
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 19, 1991                   TAG: 9103190357
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CITY FIRM LOSING CENTER BID

A Roanoke firm that has provided the concessions and catering service at the Roanoke Civic Center for 18 years likely will be replaced by an Omaha, Neb., company that handles concessions at the Richmond Centre and several civic centers in other states.

Blue Ridge Catering, a subsidiary of Krisch Hotels, was outbid by the Swanson Corp. for the concessions and catering contract.

Only two bids were received. Officials estimated Monday that Swanson's bid will produce an additional $25,000 a year for the civic center. Swanson also has agreed to spend $170,000 on improvements to the kitchen, concession stands and related facilities, compared to an offer of $150,000 by Blue Ridge Catering.

Civic Center officials said they believe some companies might have decided not to bid because of the requirement for the winning bidder to help finance improvements to the concession stands, kitchen and other facilities.

The Civic Center Commission voted to recommend that City Council accept Swanson's bid. Under the proposal going to council, Swanson would get a five-year contract with an option for a five-year renewal.

Bob Chapman, civic center manager, said Krisch Hotels or one of its subsidiaries has provided the concessions and catering service since 1973.

Blue Ridge Catering has been the concessionaire for the past decade. Its contract, which expired last August, was extended temporarily until the center could seek bids. State law requires the concessions to be rebid at least once every 10 years.

The civic center hired a consultant to advise it on the bidding process and help prepare the specifications.

Vern Danielsen, a Civic Center Commission member who helped review the bids, said Swanson appeared to want the contract badly. "Their bid amounts were higher than the required amounts in every case," he said. "Swanson is aggressive, and I believe this is a good thing for us."

Danielsen said he would like to keep business in Virginia and especially in Roanoke, but the city doesn't have any choice.

Because of laws governing the bidding process, officials said Swanson must be awarded the contract because its bid will produce the most money for the center.

"The service we have received from [Blue Ridge Catering] has been acceptable," Danielsen said.

Also Monday, the commission praised Chapman and city officials for their handling of the Metro Conference basketball tournament earlier this month. "It went off without a hitch," said John Edwards, commission chairman.

by CNB