The Hancock County Commission, Tuesday, agreed to seek bids for a new concessionaire to oversee aspects of the Kennedy Marina in Newell. (Photo by Craig Howell)

NEW CUMBERLAND — The Hancock County Commission is looking for someone to operate Kennedy Marina.

Commissioners met in special session Tuesday afternoon, agreeing to advertise for bids for a new concessionaire for the marina, located south of Newell, as well as the framework for a new concessionaire agreement and camping agreement.

“We had a concessionaire operating on the property who is no longer there,” explained Commission President Eron Chek.

Chek noted the camping season at Kennedy Marina is scheduled to begin May 5, and the hope is to be able to have someone in place before then, explaining there are a variety of maintenance and repair projects needed at the property.

Kennedy Marina was conveyed to the Hancock County Commission in 2008 by the U.S. Department of Interior, according to commissioners, and much of the language of the agreements must be vetted by the federal agency, which also will need to review any approved concessionaire bid.

“Everything we do today will be subject to approval by the Department of Interior,” Chek said.

The commission will be posting its request for proposals, both through newspaper legal advertisements on April 4 and April 11, and on the county’s website, with a deadline for concession proposals established at 4:30 p.m., April 18.

A pre-proposal walk-through of the property has been scheduled for 10 a.m., Saturday, for anyone who may be interested in submitting a bid.

Proposals will be opened at 9 a.m., April 21, with a special commission meeting to consider the bids at 1 p.m. the same day.