July 31, 2006

Rick's Cafe Boatyard plans to expand on the riverfront

A contract that was signed in 2001 gave Rick's an exclusive 30-year lease at a fixed cost of $5,000 a month to develop part of the Lewis and Clark Landing. Rick Albrecht of Indianapolis,

	If you enjoy the sounds of cool Jazz music, eclectic steaks and seafood cuisine with a majestic view of the Missouri River - the destination must be Rick's Cafe Boatyard!

the owner of Rick's, submitted the only bid for the project. Other restaurant owners were leery of building on the former Asarco plant site.

The contract, which was negotiated by Hal Daub while he was mayor, allowed for Rick's to build another restaurant. Daub is now an investor in the restaurant and is spear-heading plans to build the $4 million expansion that still requires approval by the City Council.

An earlier plan to build a stand-alone banquet hall was rejected by the city because it was not part of the earlier contract. It is being allowed now because it will be part of the new restaurant.

The current banquet facility on the 2nd floor of Rick's can only handle 160 people for receptions or special events. They have been forced to turn down business for requests that require seating for 200 to 400 people.

The new banquet hall will be on the 1st floor of the proposed building and will be able to serve 400 people. A 2nd floor bar and restaurant will accommodate 300 people and will feature a much

	Rick's Cafe Boatyard is hoping to build a new restaurant and banquet hall just south of the existing establishment on Omaha's riverfront.

different menu than the current restaurant. The emphasis will be on small Spanish-influenced dishes known as tapas. The current restaurant's menu specializes in steak and seafood entrees.

Customers will be able to take in the beautiful view of the river while dining on the 2nd floor of the new restaurant. In addition, 50 plus new jobs will be created and the city will benefit from the additional tax revenue.

The City Council will still need to approve the plan, which includes tax-increment financing to offset the cost of extending and expanding sewers and utilities. The amount of the city tax incentive has not yet been finalized.

The original contract signed in 2001 stated the city would be responsible for building the streets, parking lots, lighting, paths and pedestrian links to the city's arena and Heartland of America Park. The restaurant was required to build restroom facilities at least 20 percent larger than normal in order to serve the general public who may be visiting the park.

If the plan is approved by this fall, the new restaurant may be open for business as soon as next June.