Details of an agreement between the Pine Bluff Urban Renewal Agency and WER Architects/Planners to determine the cost of renovations for two proposed restaurants were approved in a board meeting Tuesday.
Outgoing URA Executive Director Maurice Taggart called the meeting to ensure the approval with the firm. The URA board in August waived a competitive bid process to award the contract to WER.
Local chefs Oscar Bullard Jr. and Jamie McAfee have made formal requests for architectural services at 316 and 322 S. Main St., respectively, in hopes of establishing restaurants there. Bullard expressed interest in opening a tap room and wood grill, and McAfee wants to open an upscale brunch restaurant.
The Pine Bluff URA will pay a 9% full services fee, with the total base fee to be determined on the final scope of work. WER will also provide programming and coordination for a fee not to exceed $20,000, with an 8.5% furniture, fixtures and equipment fee.
Other expenses include $8,000 for kitchen design and drawings and an estimated $8,500 for reimbursable expenses including travel and per diem (eight trips maximum), reproduction costs and an Arkansas Department of Health plan review.
Taggart said he has received interest from a tenant for a jazz and comedy club to occupy the building at 324 S. Main St. That was a location McAfee originally considered, along with 322 S. Main.
The Urban Renewal board approved a $4,800 per month contract for Taggart's consulting services between Friday (Oct. 1) and March 31. Taggart's consulting business is known as Riverside Strategies LLC.
Taggart was paid $6,100 per month as URA director.
Chandra Griffin, the operations director for Urban Renewal, will succeed Taggart in the interim.