Two proponents involved in separate bids to put a restaurant on Pier 7 at the St. John’s harbour front say they voiced concerns about the building’s original design, but were told the concept would not be changed, which is why they are now speaking out about the controversial development.

They say they are angered by the fact that the St. John’s Port Authority tore down a sail-like frame to accommodate the Vancouver-based The Keg Restaurant, when they had identified the same problems with the design. Javis Roberts submitted a proposal to locate the Atlantis Steak & Lobster Co., a medium to high end restaurant, on the site.

Architectural consultant Paul Emberley represented a client who also submitted a bid when the Port Authority issued a request for proposals. Port Authority and CEO Sean Hanrahan has said no proponents submitted a proposal that would have allowed the port to break even on the investment. But both Emberley and Roberts say they raised concerns about the design repeatedly, saying it was not adequate to house a restaurant and didn’t offer enough space to make such a venture worthwhile.

They say they are now galled that the port authority, which hired Martek Morgan Finch to conduct the request for proposals, has turned around and changed the design for The Keg. Roberts who is also involved in DRL Coachlines said he asked for the design to be changed at a time when the port authority only had the footings in. Roberts operates the Lobster Ranch brand in Halifax. “They said, ‘Absolutely not.’ It had to be the sails (design), they would not change it for anyone. The answer was no, across the board. The only thing they allowed us to do is change something on the stairs,” Roberts told the Telegram.

“It didn’t have enough room….It wasn’t designed properly.” “The problem was, it wasn’t a feasible restaurant,” Emberley said on behalf of his client, who doesn’t want to be identified. “It could only seat so many people. It was not enough to pay for what they would need to make it a viable operation.” Emberley’s client wanted to put a steak house on the site.

Roberts said the authority proposed locating the restaurant’s kitchen on the second floor, which posed all kinds of problems. He’s now considering legal action. He says he has no problems with The Keg winning the deal if the process had been fair to everyone. Four bids were submitted in response to the request for proposals and the port authority deemed them inadequate.

On Feb 28 the Telegram revealed The Keg was getting a lease and the sail-like frame was coming down to accommodate the franchise. “Everyone should have had a fair shot at it in my mind,” Roberts said. “Why would they change the rules after the fact?”

The St. John’s port authority had already pumped about $800,000 into the uncompleted restaurant project when it decided to tear down the framing for The Keg. The port authority insists it will get all the money back including an additional $1.7 million to construct a new building through a 20 year lease agreement with The Keg.

“Something stinks on the harbourfront,” Emberley said. One restaurateur, Chuck Matchim the owner/operator of Chucky’s restaurant on King’s Road in St. John’s has said his associates approached the port authority more than a year ago about the initial design. Matchim concluded the design was unworkable and eventually found another location. Emberley said Hanrahan is wrong in saying no proponents are complaining except for Matchim. He said architect Dave Kelland had a nice design, but it wasn’t big enough to give his client the capacity for a viable restaurant. He said while the authority offered to make minor changes they would not agree to a redesign.

Personally, Emberley thinks the site should have a seafood-style restaurant, something with a Newfoundland flavour. He said if the authority had reissued proposals with a new design in mind, it would have gotten 20 bids. “Mr. Hanrahan please explain how you are going to get the money back,” he said. “I have been in business in St. John’s for over 30 years and if you build a building and then tear it down there is no way you can possibly get your money back. The rational astounds me – not to mention the unfairness to all proponents who submitted proposals on the now torn-down facility.”

Emberley said he raided the design concerns twice to the architect and brought the same problems to Martek. He believes the port authority has acted unjustly. “The proponents to this proposal have spent thousands of dollars in preparation and anticipation….but to have their efforts whipped out from underneath them in this manner is totally unacceptable,” he said.

Hanrahan said Thursday he has received no complaints, either formal or informal.

Pier 7 is the area where D.F. Barnes was originally located, near the Scademia tour-boat operation in the north-west section of the harbour front between Bishop’s and Beck’s coves. Nine seasonal tourist kiosks have been constructed next to the restaurant’s location.

The Telegram. Friday, March 5, 2004. Barb Sweet.