The North Platte Quality Growth Fund Citizen Review Committee has denied the application, in part, for funds to renovate the Cedar Bowl.
The committee, made up of Pat Keenan, Ty Lucas and David Fudge, held a public meeting Friday morning. The members of the committee are appointed by the Mayor.
Local entrepreneurs, Lonnie Parsons and Gary Suhr, are seeking funds from the Quality Growth Fund to renovate and enhance the Cedar Bowl. The business closed its doors earlier this month, after nearly 36 years of operation in its current location.
While the committee denied the application, it wasn’t a complete denial. They will recommend that the North Platte City Council grant $50,000 and loan $250,000 to the project, but chose not to recommend the full amount requested. The original request was for a $500,000 grant and a $250,000 loan.
The committee’s purpose is to study and review requests for funding and make a recommendation to the Council. They do not have the power to actually award the money.
According to Parsons, the Quality Growth Fund currently consists of about $4.2 million.
“The renovation is going to cost around $1.5 million,” said Parsons. “When you add the value of the land and building, the total cost is going to be around $3 million.”
Parsons said he and Suhr were not surprised the committee didn’t accept the full amount requested, but said they expected a larger recommendation.
Parsons said they intend to ask to the North Platte City Council for a $300,000 grant and a $200,000 loan.
Parsons and Suhr’s business plan includes transforming the Cedar Bowl into a high quality family entertainment center, with a “family-friendly” restaurant.
In any case, the ultimate decision on funding the project rests on the shoulders of the North Platte City Council.
Council member, Andrew Lee, said he is willing to listen to the proposal with an open mind, and determine whether the project is in the long-term interest of North Platte.
“I don’t need to see their whole plan,” Lee said. “I just want to hear what their plans and visions are, and make my decision based on what it does for the community.”
Lee said the Council looks at several factors when deciding whether or not to grant funds to a project. At the top of his list are job creation and tax revenue for the city.
“I’m very interested in what kinds of jobs this business will create,” said Lee. “I want to know if they are going to be all minimum wage jobs, or jobs that will bring people back to North Platte to join the work force.”
Lee said he needs to feel confident that the business will be able to sustain itself, and survive well into the future.
“I will keep an open mind, and would love to see bowling stay in North Platte,” Lee added. “But it has to be in the best interest of the city and its residents.”
The City Council will consider the request Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m.
As of Friday evening, members of the Quality Growth Fund Citizen Review Committee have not responded to the Post’s request for comments.