Blue Ridge Parkway looking at interest in historic concession operations

The Blue Ridge Parkway, a unit of the National Park Service, is seeking ideas from parties interested in operating Otter Creek Restaurant and Gift Shop, at Milepost 60.8, or Rocky Knob Cabins, near Milepost 168, along the Blue Ridge Parkway in southwestern Virginia.

Park managers want to hear from interested individuals, governmental agencies, not-for-profit or for-profit organizations regarding feasible ideas for the future operations of these longtime Parkway concession operations.

The full Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI), a complete list of facilities, and additional information, is available at http://www.concessions.nps.gov/news_BLRI012_RFEI.htm. The facilities may be available for operation under a concession contract or a lease for varying lengths of time for identified purposes.  All Proposals for alternative legal uses will be considered.  This RFEI is solely for information and planning purposes, and does not constitute a Request for Proposal or a promise to issue a RFP in the future.

There will be site visits for interested parties at both locations on July 30, 2014. Expressions of Interest (EOI) are due to Laura Nelson by September 10, 2014.  After EOIs are received, Parkway management will evaluate each one and contact the interested parties with next steps/for follow up.

For site visit information, questions or comments, please contact: laura_s_nelson@nps.gov, Concessions Management Specialist, National Park Service, Blue Ridge Parkway, 199 Hemphill Knob Road, Asheville, NC 28803, (828) 348-3407.