The Kentucky Finance Cabinet is seeking proposals for a new operator for the popular Beaver Dam rest stop, which abruptly closed earlier this month.
The rest stop, located on the Wendell Ford-Western Kentucky Parkway in Ohio County, was well-known among western Kentucky drivers making trips to Louisville, Lexington and Frankfort.
Cabinet officials said the closing was due to an expired lease and a terminated bid process in 2016. Differences in the new proposal include a requirement to renovate the bathrooms, a change in architectural information and a required maintenance escrow account.
According to a release Thursday, here are key dates involved in the process:
- Feb. 8, 2017: Site visit for interested parties.
- March 8, 2017: Proposals due to the Division of Real Properties, Department for Facilities and Support Services.
- April 2017: Anticipated vendor selection in early April. Vendor has up to three months to be operational.
- July 2017: Service area open for business.
The new bid is posted at finance.ky.gov.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has said reopening the rest stop is their ‘top priority.'
