Parks committee approves 5‑year lease renewal with Furch's Beachside at Grant Park Pavilion

Milwaukee County Parks won committee approval to enter a lease and vendor permit with Furch's Beachside LLC to operate food-and-beverage concessions at the Grant Park Beach Pavilion.

Robert Singrapp, contracts manager for Milwaukee County Parks, said Furch's has operated at Grant Park since 2015. Parks staff recommended an initial five-year term with optional renewal terms that could extend the arrangement up to a total of 10 years. The vendor agreed to make specified capital investments—including roof replacement, bathroom renovation and painting—completed by Dec. 31 of the year the lease takes effect. Parks staff said those investments will be commissionable and must be approved by the county’s parts/asset department prior to work.

Under the proposed financial terms presented to the committee, the vendor will pay a commission equal to 15% of gross receipts on alcoholic beverage sales and 10% on other sales. For the full renewal term the vendor must establish a $50,000 capital improvement fund (stated as $20,000 for the first two-year renewal, $20,000 for the second two-year renewal and $10,000 for the final one‑year renewal in the term described to the committee).

Supervisor Taylor moved approval; the committee recorded a 7–0 vote in favor. Tarantino and Singrapp said the concessionaire has invested more than $110,000 in capital improvements over the past decade and that Permit revenues to the parks department have totaled roughly $255,000 over ten years.

Why it matters: the vendor provides services, invests in pavilion upkeep and generates rent revenue for county parks; the agreement aims to lock in a known operator and require capital work to be completed and inspected by county staff.

The item will proceed to the committee on finance as required for administration of concession agreements and county revenues.