BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Liberty Hound, the restaurant located at Canalside and underneath the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park's museum, may be moving.
The restaurant, operating at the site since 2011, may be forced to move because their lease with the City of Buffalo has expired.
"Right now we're under an RFP process which is to find an operator for the restaurant," Paul Marzello, the President and CEO of the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park, told WBEN. "In the past, it has been Liberty Hound restaurant. As of January 15, I believe, we had a mandatory pre-submittal conference in which anyone who was interested in applying had to be at that meeting."
The committee to select the winner will look at several criteria such as project understanding, utilizing the space, experience on similar projects, project management, work plan, and financial terms. A point system will determine the winner.
"We're going to do our best to be fair, equitable, and transparent about it," Marzello added. "With that point system, we're going to try to get the best solution or the best operator that would be not only for the naval park but the general public."
Marzello noted that the petition that was signed by more than 3,000 people will not have an impact on the decision-making process.
"This is not going to be a public referendum," he said.
Four other restaurant groups, in addition to Liberty Hound, are under consideration for the space. Their names were not public.
The announcement of the tenant will be on February 15. Marzello said the lease is five years including an additional five year renewal.
