Committee forwards Central Kitchen negotiations with Sheridan Construction to full Council after split vote

At the Jan. 21 Business and Economic Development Committee meeting, Development Director Anne Krieg and Economic Development Officer Biguita Hernandez‑Smith updated members on a pending Council order to enter negotiations with Sheridan Construction for a Central Kitchen project at 50 Cleveland Street.

Finance Director Stephanie Kimball explained the proposed bond authorization and issuance process and clarified that financing questions — including whether and how the bond would be funded from the Economic Development Fund — were under active discussion. Economic Development Officer Hernandez‑Smith provided current-expenditure and projected-cost figures in response to member questions; those staff figures were presented verbally at the meeting but exact amounts were not recorded in the publicly available minutes.

Why it matters: The Central Kitchen project involves public financing choices and partnership possibilities that affect local economic development funds and potential city-backed debt.

Councilors debated fiscal prudence and economic risks. Councilor Mallar pressed for detailed expenditure and return-on-investment information; Councilor Fish and Councilor Carson expressed hesitation, citing uncertainty in the restaurant industry and higher local costs of living. Councilor Beck noted a positive view that the project would not be funded through general tax revenue. Airport Director Jose Saavedra suggested exploring a partnership with the flight kitchen to leverage operations.

Councilor Fish moved to forward the item to the full Council; Councilor Carson seconded. A roll-call vote recorded four in favor and one opposed (Councilor Mallar), and the motion passed. The item will proceed to full Council for final consideration, where additional financial detail and bond‑issuance steps will be expected to be reviewed.