City directs staff to solicit private partners for glamping at Anisi Park and temporary surf shop at Gateway Park

City staff received direction from the Farmington City Council to solicit letters of interest for two public-private pilot projects on city-owned riverfront property: off-grid “glamping” at Anisi Park and a temporary surf shop at Gateway Park.

“We've long looked at Anisi Park as a future opportunity for the city to expand its riverfront activities,” said Warren (city staff), describing glamping as “a higher end camping opportunity in a tent… it will provide a more of a rustic experience. It'll be off grid, which is perfect for out there because we don't have any amenities out there as of yet.”

The mayor said the city would issue a land-lease style public-private partnership request and that private proposers would be expected to submit management plans, safety protocols and proof of insurance. “We would then be expecting them to come with… how are they going to manage it? … They'd have to have insurance,” the mayor said.

Councilor Rogers asked whether restroom facilities would be included. Warren said proposals should address sanitation; the likely approach would be a central restroom facility that would be periodically removed from the site for servicing rather than individual toilets inside tents.

Warren also said Anisi Park is city-owned but falls within county zoning, and proposers would need to coordinate with county permitting as applicable. On the Gateway Park temporary surf shop, staff said the effort is intended as a short-term proof of concept ahead of longer-term riverfront development and that council gave consensus to proceed with the LOI solicitation.

Councilors indicated informal consensus (nodding) to move forward; city staff will draft and publish the letters of interest and evaluate responses. No formal contract or lease was approved at the meeting.