Junction City businessman Todd Godfrey wants to put a Gastro Park featuring food trailers, a dining area and possible concert stage in the current city-owned vacant lot at Tenth and Washington. He submitted the idea to the city commission two weeks ago, but now the governing body has decided to initiate requests for proposals on the use of that lot.

City Manager Allen Dinkel said Godfrey made an offer of $30,000 for the site but if his project was implemented within the first year he would get all $30,000 back, “within the second year he would get $15,000 back. So the argument could be it would range the price from zero to $30,000.” Instead Dinkel submitted a recommendation to the commission, which was adopted on a 4-1 vote, “public if you want to bid on the lots you can but the RFP is going to include both a price for the land as well as the intended use.”  Dinkel also noted during the commission meeting that one other offer for the site had been received as well.

Commissioner Jeff Underhill spoke out in support of Godfrey’s proposal while Mayor Pat Landes said it was a sellable property, the commission needed to support the value, adding it was worth $50,000 at least.  He noted the city shouldn’t give away taxpayer dollars that paid for the purchase of that lot.

Commissioner Tim Brown expressed concern that since another party was also interested in the property that it would have to go the RFP route with a fair bid process. Commissioner Phyllis Fitzgerald noted she liked the concept proposed by Godfrey for the Gastro Park but she supported the RFP plan.

Any requests for proposals that are received will be brought back to the city commission for consideration at their first meeting in November.