By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TRENTON — City officials want their relationship with a restaurant group and sports bar to succeed, but they need some money first.
The city council learned Monday that the Kennedy Restaurant Group, operators of the Legends 1926 bar and grill in the Kennedy Recreation Center, 3101 West Road, owes the city more than $35,000 in back rent, utilities, equipment rental and concessions.
Mayor Kyle Stack said Trenton Parks and Recreation entered into a 2011 agreement with restaurant owners Kennedy Restaurant Group, which would benefit from all concessions at the recreation center in exchange for rent and other fees. The restaurant appeared to be doing well, until city officials noticed that payments were not being met.
“We billed them and as time went on it was just accumulating,” Stack said. “Now we have to put an end to that accumulation.”
Since last week’s meeting, Stack said she and City Administrator Jim Wagner began negotiations with Kennedy Restaurant Group.
We are working with them to see if we can get a plan and move forward,” Stack said. “It’s a very nice place and I’d hate to see anyone fail. We’ll try to work with them.”
Elected officials, however, said Monday that progress must be made quickly for the restaurant to continue doing business with the city. An update is expected at the council’s next regular meeting Aug. 20.
“The council requested that we get some form of payment by August 20,” Stack said. “If not we have to move in a different direction.”
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected].)