Amway Center Concessions Contract Vote Delayed Amid Concerns

Complaints Over Selection Process For Arena's Concession Contract Delays City Council Vote

A vote on a five-year concessions contract for the Magic's new Amway Center was "called off at the last minute Monday after leaders from the black community complained the selection process had been tainted," according to Mark Schlueb of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. The Orlando City Council "had been scheduled to rank Orlando Foodservice Partners as the top bidder" for the contract, but that plan was "changed after a handful of black ministers showed up at City Hall on Monday morning for an impromptu meeting with Mayor Buddy Dyer." Dyer "opted to delay the vote for three weeks to give those concerned time to review bid documents and the selection process." But it is "not clear how the delay will satisfy critics, because the mayor said the selection of the top bidder won't change." Dyer: "It won't change the rankings. ... It will just give everybody additional time to take a look-see at it." Along with the bid from Orlando Foodservice Partners, which is a joint venture with Levy Restaurants, Aramark, Ovations Food Services and Centerplate also submitted bids for the contract. Neither Rev. Randolph Bracy "nor other black ministers would point to minority participation as a primary concern with the concession contract." However, the number of "black-owned companies selected as either a partner or subcontractor likely plays a role" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 2/2).