Westport Seeks Consultant to Help Plan Improvements to Inn at Longshore

WESTPORT, CT - The town has issued a request for proposal (RFP) for a hospitality consultant to assist in planning for long-term capital improvements to the Town-owned Inn at Longshore, First Selectman Jim Marpe announced.

The Inn has recently undergone a major upgrade and renovation of its restaurant facility which is leased to sub-tenant, Pearl at Longshore. The Town’s primary tenant, Longshore Associates of Westport, L.P. (Longshore Associates), and the Town have had initial discussions regarding long-term capital improvements for the balance of the facility, including the ballroom, overnight accommodations, and other portions of the Inn.

The RFP is posted to the town’s website, and officials anticipate making an appropriation request before the Board of Finance within the next 60 days.

“Improving our relationship with Longshore Associates and planning for the Inn’s future has been one of my top priorities since 2014, when I first asked Charlie Haberstroh to be the Town’s representative in this process," said Marpe in a statement. "In that regard, we have started a very cooperative discussion with Longshore Associates. Specifically, the Town and Longshore Associates need to identify capital improvements for the Inn at Longshore that will ensure that the facility remains first-rate for many years into the future. The Town is issuing an RFP in order to obtain the services of a hospitality consultant that will assist in identifying those areas that will provide for the Inn’s continuing viability, attractiveness and profitability for the next generation of Westporters.”

Added Longshore Associate’s principal, Rory Tagert, “I am pleased to be having these discussions with the Town. As the long-term tenant of the Inn at Longshore, I am very interested in identifying those capital improvements that will guarantee that the Inn remains a top-notch facility in the decades ahead. I look forward to the Town’s report and to a continuation of our discussions.”