Rochester citizens and longtime patrons of Townies have taken action to protect the beloved restaurant that operates inside the Soldiers Field Golf Course clubhouse. After the city announced that Townies would close its doors by the end of the year, a Change.org petition was filed on Friday demanding that local officials halt the pending concession agreement and provide full transparency.
Petition targets city leadership
The petition is addressed to the Rochester Park Board, the Rochester City Council, the mayor’s office and Mayor‑elect Joe Powers. It asks officials to:
- Pause the November 10 recommendation and delay signing any new agreement in December.
- Renew Townies’ lease with terms that credit the approximately $50,000 the restaurant invested in renovating the clubhouse.
- Make both Request for Proposal (RFP) bids public so residents can compare them side‑by‑side.
- Require the future clubhouse operator to maintain basic building systems, such as the kitchen air‑conditioning unit.
Background on Townies’ investment
Townies originally secured the clubhouse lease by agreeing to put at least $35,500 of its own money into the city’s building. In practice, the restaurant spent roughly $50,000 on renovations, delivering a modernized clubhouse without cost to the city. The lease also allowed Townies to pay rent below market rates, a benefit that reflects its capital contribution.
Supporters of the petition argue that the city’s recent recommendation to negotiate a new concession agreement with Uni Uni and Old Abe ignores Townies’ financial stake and the preferences of the community that uses Soldiers Field.
Recent maintenance issues sparked the dispute
According to the petition, a renewal lease had already been drafted for Townies before July, when repeated air‑conditioning failures pushed kitchen temperatures above 100°F and forced a temporary shutdown. After Townies publicly raised concerns about the unresolved maintenance, negotiations stalled and the city opened the space to competitive bidding.
Community response
Petition signers emphasize that Townies has become a fixture for golfers, families and local workers who gather at the clubhouse after a round of golf or for community events. They contend that the restaurant’s presence supports the social fabric of Rochester and that residents deserve a voice in deciding the future of the space.
City officials have not yet responded publicly to the petition, but the request for transparency aligns with Rochester’s tradition of open‑government practices. The Park Board is scheduled to consider the recommendation at its November 10 meeting, and the City Council will review any new concession contracts in December.
What’s next?
If the petition gains enough signatures, it could pressure the Park Board and City Council to revisit the concession process, potentially restoring Townies’ lease or at least ensuring that any new operator meets the community’s expectations for maintenance and service. Residents are encouraged to add their names to the Change.org petition and to attend the upcoming public meetings to voice their opinions.
Original reporting: News Talk 1340 KROC-AM – News and Talk – Rochester News Radio — read the source article.
