Cove efforts fail in Senate

State legislators have blocked both of Sen. John Campbell’s attempts

to let a nonprofit group run historic cottages at Crystal Cove State

Park, but the fight may not be over.

Campbell tried two bills that would turn the cottage renovations

and operations over to a nonprofit group, but legislators on Thursday

night were to adjourn until January, leaving both bills in limbo.

A nonprofit group still could submit a bid to the state parks

department, which in July began requesting proposals from any

organization -- including for-profit groups -- wanting to run an

operation that will include 13 cottages, a cafe, and a snack bar.

The difference between Campbell’s legislation and the state’s

proposal is where the money goes. The state plan requires only 12% of

profits to go to a park-maintenance fund, but Campbell’s legislation

funnels all the income back into the park.

State parks officials, meanwhile, extended their bidding deadline

from Sept. 21 to Oct. 12 because of a delay in cottage construction

that’s now underway, state parks spokesman Roy Stearns said.

No bids have been received, but it’s normal for most to come in on

the last day, he said. Representatives of more than 20 groups came to

two bid meetings in July, and prospective bidders included operators

of the Shake Shack, the Montage Resort & Spa, and the Crystal Cove

Alliance, a nonprofit group that’s already raised thousands of

dollars for the park.

Restoration of the cottages is already behind schedule and over

budget, and restrictions in the state’s proposal mean it likely won’t

be attractive to profit seekers, Campbell said

“They do have to put a significant amount of capital in for

virtually no return,” he said.

The Crystal Cove Alliance will be submitting a bid. Group founder

Laura Davick said she’s disappointed that Campbell’s bills were

stalled, but her group already planned to bid through the state parks

department.

“We believe that we will be able to far outshine anyone on our

educational and interpretive programs that we’re planning, and with

our plan for fundraising for phase two, a for-profit won’t be able to

compete with that,” Davick said.

The second phase of the project is expected to cost about $15

million and will finish up to 17 of the park’s cottages.

Campbell said his bills could be revived when legislators return

in January, but they will likely face continued opposition from the

union that represents state parks employees.

“They said very clearly in committee that they thought that any

nonprofit organization would not necessarily hire their union members

to do the work or to staff the cottages once they’re completed,”

Campbell said.

The state plans to find an operator and have some cottages open

for public rental by early 2006, Stearns said.