ORLEANS – The Cape Cod National Seashore has again extended the due date for proposals for the lease of the Nauset Knoll Motor Lodge in Orleans.
The new date for the receipt of proposals has been extended to February 20. The National Parks Service (NPS), which oversees the Cape Cod National Seashore, has also determined the rent for the property.
The NPS announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the lease of Nauset Knoll in October of 2018.
Administrative Officer with the Cape Cod National Seashore Brandon Flint said that the delay in the RFP process can be attributed to a number of factors, including the 35-day federal government shutdown.
“We had to go through an appraisal process, and the lapse of appropriations slowed things down a little bit, but it was really a combination of things that slowed us down. After we got that appraisal number we wanted to make sure that we gave everyone a good opportunity to review that number and give us a proposal,” Flint explained.
This RFP provides the opportunity for interested individuals and organizations to submit proposals to the NPS to lease the property, which has historically been used as a motor lodge.
“The Nauset Knoll Motor Lodge has been under a concession contract for some time. At the end of that contract we are going to transition and move into a new lease,” explained Flint.
“This provides the park, as well as the local community and entrepreneurs across the Cape an opportunity to look at that property and help us look at the use and figure out what’s going to best for either entrepreneurs and the communities or visitors as they come to the Seashore for the next ten years.”
The property is situated on the hill near the entrance to Nauset Beach, supplying the building, and those who occupy it, with an astonishing ocean views.
The 12-unit motor lodge is currently divided into three, one-story frame buildings connected by open canopies. It also features a shed, garage, an office, and a decorative windmill that can be used for storage.
The minimum rent determined by the NPS for businesses is set at a $150,000 per year plus 10-percent of annual gross revenue. For non-revenue generating uses of the property, such as municipal office space or the headquarters of a non-profit organization, rent has been set at $200,000 per year.
While the property has only been used for lodging, Flint said the Seashore is also considering other uses for it, including potential use as a restaurant, an education center, a commercial property, or for municipal services.
“There’s not a real hard and fast direction that we’re going to head with this,” said Flint.
“We would look at a number of proposals. The Town of Orleans has expressed some interest and I think they were considering using it for office space or to support their beach operations. We’re open to looking at new uses or expanded uses for that hotel, and to change it up a little bit to make it more relevant for the upcoming ten years.”
The Seashore asks potential lessees to outline their plans for the property, and advise that the lessee is responsible for insurance, utilities, and maintenance.
By TIM DUNN, CapeCod.com News Center
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