A potential public-private partnership could bring a new restaurant to the Nome Recreation Center, according to a concept presented by Nome City Manager Lee Smith at the July 14 meeting of the Nome Common Council.
Smith told council members he plans to return within 30 days with a proposal to lease out the facility’s bowling alley and kitchen area to a private business. The goal, he said, is to create an incubator-style space for small businesses before transitioning to their own standalone operations.
“I have called them pop up restaurants, but the potential for separating from the Rec Center, where we would rent that facility and would be operated privately, the bowling alley and the restaurant itself on a regular basis for dining in and also for takeout," Smith said.
Smith alluded to a potential partner waiting in the wings.
“Everybody’s called for a Mexican restaurant, and that’s what it would be. And I’m excited about that opportunity,” he said.
Lucy Valdez has long-sought to open a Mexican restaurant in Nome, but has run into troubles securing a space. She confirmed to KNOM that conversations with the city were underway, but that no final agreement had been made.
The space would be operated separately from the rest of the Recreation Center, according to Smith. This would allow for limited hours and better control over access when the Recreation Center is otherwise closed.
“So we’re looking at how we secure the Rec Center from this space for children or anyone else, that way if the Rec Center is closed, people can’t get in,” he said. “But we have a really, really nice facility.”
Participating in the meeting over Zoom, Council Member Scot Henderson voiced support for the idea but cautioned against offering lease terms that could unintentionally give the new business an advantage over existing restaurants.
“I think it’s an interesting idea. We just need to be careful that, especially when we’re looking at leasing city facilities, that we don’t give too much or subsidize a business and give them an advantage,” Henderson said.
Smith acknowledged potential conflicts during events like the Iditarod, which takes over the space for the Finisher’s Banquet each year. Smith said he planned to reach out to organizers.
“So I’m talking to—have called the Iditarod folks to see what they’re looking at, so we got to look at the usage,” Smith said. “But we thought it would be a good opportunity, and it’s more than the lease money. It’s about another business in town that can hire people, you know.”
Smith said the proposal is still in development and would be brought back before the Council once more details are finalized with attorneys and potential partners.
