By a 10-to-1 vote, with only Mayoral candidate Ron Nirenberg voting no, City Council today snubbed a Chicago based multi national firm and awarded the lucrative contract to operate the barges on the Riverwalk to a San Antonio based firm, Go Rio San Antonio, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports
.Go Rio and Chicago based Entertainment Cruises were the two finalists from among the five companies that bid for the ten year contract, which is worth an estimated $100 million.
City staffers had recommended that Entertainment Cruises be approved, and Assistant City Manager Carlos Contreras said their expertise and wide reach could better serve the city.
"It has over 39 years of experience, and over that time period it has redefined the marine hospitality industry," Contreras said.
Entertainment Cruises operates recreational, event, and dining cruises in New York City, Washington DC, Boston, and other places.But in the end, localism won out.
Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran said snubbing Go Rio, which is a venture headed by Landry's Restaurants and former Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade, would be sending a message that local firms can't compete.
"I believe that we have world class businesses that exist now in San Antoio," Viagran said.Mayor Taylor, who voted with the majority, said it was the right decision.
"I believe that when all is said and done, to choose to ignore our local preference and SBEDA programs when all factors seem to indicate that they worked exactly as designed, would not only set a dangerous precedent but also sends a message that directly contradicts the important public policy goals we enunciated when City Council approved our SBEDA program and goals," she said.
Councilman Joe Krier, who headed the Chamber of Commerce for twenty years, says local firms have to be given the opportunity.
"If you're a locally owned firm, we are going to give you a fair chance, and we are going to give you some points," he said. "If you are a Hispanic or African American owned firm, we are going to give you a fair chance, and we are going to give you some points."
And it wasn't just members of Council speaking out. Citizens like Annelle Silva paraded to the podium at City Hall to speak out in support of Go Rio.
"As I stand and I see the beautiful logo behind you that says 'City of San Antonio'," she said. "Not City of Chicago."
The contract will take effect October first and will be in place for ten years.