Monday, Mar 3, 2008
Grand Canyon, Ariz. – The National Park Service (NPS) has decided not to re-issue a prospectus for gift shop services traditionally provided by Verkamp’s, Inc. on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
The Verkamp’s family has been selling curios and souvenirs on the South Rim since 1905. However, after over 100 years of valued visitor service, Verkamp’s, Inc. chose not to submit a bid during a recent solicitation for proposals for the provision of gift shop services on the rim.
This left the NPS with the unique opportunity to purchase Verkamp’s remaining possessory interest in their buildings. Possessory interest is the compensable value the concessioner has in real property improvements within the park. Purchasing Verkamp’s possessory interest significantly changed the financial structure of the prospectus. As a result, the solicitation was cancelled in January 2008.
The National Park Service then reviewed park and visitor needs in addition to planning documents to decide whether to reissue the prospectus with an adjusted financial structure or to determine some other use for the building that might better serve the public interest. In its review, the NPS found that Grand Canyon already has excellent providers of gift shop services within the South Rim area and in the surrounding communities. As a result, although three prospective bidders had submitted proposals before the solicitation was cancelled, the NPS decided not to reissue the prospectus.
The National Park Service is currently exploring alternative uses of the building that would best serve the public interest. Verkamp’s, Inc. will continue to operate through September of 2008.
For additional information, please contact Laura Shearin, Grand Canyon Concessions Management Specialist, at 928-226-0169.
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