High Note Park Bar Request for Concepts.pdf

Be Part of a Colorado’s Next Signature Public Space

The City of Lone Tree and its partner South Suburban Parks and Recreation invite bold, creative, and community-minded bar operators to help bring the first phase of High Note Regional Park to life. This 80-acre regional park, located near the RidgeGate Parkway and I-25, will serve as a premier destination for the south Denver metro area. We’re seeking innovative partners to create an unforgettable bar experience in a unique, high-visibility park setting.

d d Request for Concepts with Award High Note Regional Park

Contracted Beer Garden Operator

Seeking Any Unique Proposals

Beer Garden Operator

Have other ideas for High Note Park’s first phase?

City constructed and owned shipping-container, or similar, bar concept serving both a dog park and beer garden. Seeking a contracted operator. The bar will be temporary before a permanent bar is constructed in a future phase. The shipping-container temporary bar and beer garden is estimated to operate for 5-10 years before the permanent bar is built.

The City is open to discussing any unique and creative proposals to add life to High Note Park, including small format and mobile opportunities.

Request for Concepts with Award High Note Regional Park Contracted Beer Garden Operator

High-Level Overview of the Project

Submission Deadline November 21, 2025 at

5:30 p.m.

Question Deadline October 24, 2025 at

5:30 p.m.

The City of Lone Tree and South Suburban Parks and Recreation are working with OJB Landscape Architecture to advance the design of High Note Regional Park. The goal is to break ground on the first phase in spring 2026. The bar operator must be ready to open at the same time as the park opens to the public, anticipated in late summer 2027. The phase one budget is approximately $32 million. The limits of phase one and the anticipated liquor-licensed area are shown in Exhibit A and Exhibit B of this RFP.

The partners envision a temporary bar and gathering space as part of phase one. The City is currently exploring shipping-container bar vendors and is also evaluating the possibility of retrofitting a decommissioned RTD light rail train vehicle to serve as a semi-indoor seating area. A permanent bar and restaurant are expected to follow in a later phase, estimated 5 to 10 years after the initial opening of phase one.

Proposals are due by November 21, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. After review, selected concepts will be invited to meet with City and South Suburban staff to discuss their proposals in greater detail. The City is interested in hearing a range of operating models, including revenue-sharing structures, and encourages proposers to suggest creative approaches. While the arrangement must be fiscally responsible and fair to taxpayers, the primary goal is to bring sustainable, local food and beverage concepts that add to the community’s quality of life.

The City anticipates holding the liquor license and contracting with an operator to accommodate the unique requirements of this project. This includes allowing dog owners to enjoy beverages within the designated dog park area.

Proposal and Question Submittal

All proposals and questions should be submitted by email to jazmin.lopez@artaicgroup.com, with a copy to john.usery@artaicgroup.com.

It is the responsibility of each proposer to ensure that their submission is received prior to the stated deadline. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Consider the Following As Proposals are Prepared 1.Concept & Vision

• Description of the proposed bar concept (style, atmosphere, target audience).

• Plans for integrating with the park setting, including the temporary container-style beer garden and dog park.

• Any branding, design, or programming ideas that make the concept distinct. While the bar operations will be contracted, the City is open to developing a unique brand for this bar, or co-branding it with an existing brand.

2.Menu & Beverage Program

• Sample menu with anticipated beverage offerings (beer, wine, cocktails, non-alcoholic).

• Approach to sourcing (local, craft, etc.).

• Strategies for meeting diverse customer preferences and pricing expectations.

• Other F&B options that are simple to incorporate are also encouraged. For example, the City has heard input about a desire for ice cream and/or coffee to be incorporated into the park.

3.Operations Plan

• Proposed hours and seasons of operation.

• Staffing model and anticipated staffing levels.

• Approach to security, cleanliness, and waste management.

• Strategies for handling peak demand and special events.

4.Experience & Qualifications

• Background of the business and key personnel.

• Examples of comparable operations or relevant projects.

5.Financial Proposal

• Suggested contract operating terms and source of income to the City: including revenue-sharing models or other ideas. A lease structure is not anticipated, and the City is anticipated to hold the liquor license.

• High-level pro forma showing anticipated revenues and expenses.

6.Outfitting & Responsibilities

• The City anticipates constructing and owning the bar shell, patio space, and seating, but seeks input on other furnishings, equipment, and finishes that should be City-provided versus operator-provided.

• Proposed furnishings, equipment, and finishes the operator would supply (e.g., refrigeration, draft systems, furniture, décor, POS systems).

• Any unique needs tied to the operator’s concept.

• Proposed number of seats to be accommodated in the plans- including in the beer garden and in the dog park area.

7.Licensing & Compliance

• Demonstrated ability to operate under a City-held liquor license.

• Understanding of unique considerations for operating within a public park.

8.Community Fit

• Explanation of how the concept enhances the park experience.

• Plans for engaging with the community (partnerships, promotions).

• Plans for activating the space (events, bands, trivia nights, etc.)

Evaluation Considerations

Proposals will be evaluated on concept strength, operator qualifications, financial soundness, clarity in roles and responsibilities, and alignment with the City’s vision of creating a vibrant and family-friendly gathering place.

More Detail on What We’re Looking For

1.Deadline for Submittals

Proposals must be received through the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System (BidNet) no later than November 21, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. local time. Late proposals will not be considered under any circumstances.

2.Submission Method All proposals must be submitted electronically through BidNet. Proposals submitted by mail, email, fax, or hand delivery will be rejected.

Registration with BidNet is free for the purpose of submitting proposals. Paid subscriptions are optional and not required.

3.Format

Proposals must be submitted as a single PDF file. Supplemental materials may be attached as appendices, but the City is under no obligation to review materials beyond the required content.

4.Proposal Validity

Proposals must remain firm and valid for 120 days following the submission deadline.

5.Questions and Clarifications

All questions must be submitted through BidNet by the deadline specified in the RFP schedule. Responses will be posted publicly to ensure equal access. Oral statements made by City staff or representatives shall not be binding.

6.Right to Reject, Negotiate, and Cancel The City reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to:

• Reject any or all proposals.

• Waive informalities, irregularities, or technical defects.

• Request clarification or additional information from any proposer.

• Negotiate modifications to any proposal received.

• Cancel this solicitation at any time without obligation.

No proposer shall have any claim against the City arising from such actions.

7.Costs of Preparation

All costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal, including participation in interviews, presentations, or negotiations, are the sole responsibility of the proposer. The City shall not be liable for any costs under any circumstances.

8.Confidentiality of Submittals

Proposals will remain sealed in BidNet until after the submission deadline. Following evaluation, all proposals are subject to public disclosure under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA). Proposers who include proprietary or confidential information must clearly mark and segregate such materials and provide justification. The City is the sole judge of whether such information will be exempt from disclosure and makes no guarantees.

9.Withdrawal of Proposals

Proposals may be withdrawn prior to the submittal deadline. After the deadline, proposals may not be withdrawn and must remain valid.

10.No Obligation

This RFP does not commit the City to award a contract, pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a proposal, or enter into any agreement. The issuance of this RFP and the receipt of proposals does not create any contractual or legal obligations on the part of the City.

11.Contract Award

Any contract award shall be subject to approval by the appropriate City authorities and execution of a written agreement in a form acceptable to the City. The City reserves the right to condition any award on additional terms and to negotiate final contract terms with the selected proposer.

12.Reserved Rights The City expressly reserves the right to:

• Accept a proposal in whole or in part.

• Award contracts to multiple proposers if deemed in the City’s best interest.

• Disqualify proposals that are incomplete, conditional, or non-responsive.

• Investigate the qualifications and experience of any proposer and require additional evidence of responsibility.

Submittal Terms

Exhibit A: High Note Park Phase 1

High Note Regional Park Contracted Beer Garden Operator

Exhibit B: High Note Park Anticipated Liquor Licensed Area

Anticipated Liquor Licensed Area

Potential Decommissioned

RTD Light Rail Train Car Retrofitted for

Semi-Indoor Seating

Exhibit C: High Note Park Full Plan at Build Out