With a Jan. 21 vote, the Downtown Investment Authority board advanced plans to establish a city-owned restaurant at the site of the new Riverfront Plaza park on the Northbank.
The board voted 9-0 in favor of a resolution supporting a proposal for the DIA to build a 19,000-square-foot shell building and choose an operator to build-out the structure and operate a restaurant in it.
Resolution 2026-01-05 establishes terms and conditions for a notice of disposition for the restaurant site, and sets criteria for scoring responses to the notice.
The notice of disposition would be for a leasehold interest in the restaurant property. A leasehold interest generally is a long-term agreement in which the person or entity leasing the property pays rent and agrees to relinquish any improvements done to the property when the lease deal expires.
The resolution states that “DIA will build the restaurant shell, and the chosen operator will finish the tenant buildout and provide all furniture, fixtures and equipment to operate the restaurant.”
According to documents attached to the resolution, the building will comprise about 6,000 square feet of space on the first floor plus 3,000 square feet of outdoor patio space and possibly a rooftop bar and seating area.
“The DIA will build and deliver a warm dark shell and own the restaurant facility and intends to enter into a long-term lease with a third-party operator capable of delivering a high-quality, financially sustainable, and publicly engaging riverfront dining experience,” the document reads.
“The chosen operator will be responsible for contributing input to the design of the building and interior as well as providing all furniture, fixtures and equipment.”
In February 2024, the DIA board approved a resolution to develop a stand-alone restaurant on the Hogan Street riverfront development parcel next to Riverfront Plaza.
The resolution stated that the restaurant building must be located as close to the Hogan Street side of the parcel as practical to preserve views of the river from the Laura Street entry to the plaza.
It called for the building design to be compatible with the look and feel of the Perkins & Will concept design for the plaza project.
Chicago-based Perkins & Will is the Riverfront Plaza designer.
DIA documents attached to the resolution stated that the restaurant “should establish itself as an accessible culinary haven, providing a diverse selection of high-quality offerings, whether for a quick coffee or breakfast, a leisurely lunch, or a casual dinner.
“With service from breakfast to dinner, a diverse array of seating options, and a bright and airy interior, this restaurant will appeal to all users and become a frequent stop for many who expect a quality local offering and familiar service.”
The documents called for the restaurant to “dependably be open morning to night, seven days a week,” and offer “Regional/American, Seafood, Southern” food while avoiding “anything flavor or culturally specific i.e. Sushi, Brazilian Steakhouse, BBQ, Vegetarian, etc.”
The newly approved resolution sets requirements for submissions of proposals for the restaurant space, including a plan and estimated costs of tenant improvements, details on financial capacity and capital commitment, information on an operators’ experience and track record, and plans for operations, staffing and marketing.
The scoring criteria contained in Resolution 2026-01-05 awards up to 20 points for applicants’ experience and track record; their tenant improvement and lease proposal; their financial capacity and capital commitment; the strength and uniqueness of their concept; and the operational viability and the strength of their operations plan.
The DIA is considering conducting interviews with respondents, which would also be awarded up to 20 points.