NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
3 September 2003

CITY SEEKS DEVELOPER FOR CITY ISLAND RESTAURANT

Harrisburg, PA—Mayor Stephen R. Reed today announced that a Request for Proposals (RFP) is now being issued for the construction of a year-round restaurant on City Island. Interested developers should contact the Mayor‘s Office of Special Projects for a copy of the RFP, which outlines what is expected for a proposal to be considered.

Reed said the designated location is a 2-acre site just to the southeast of the Market Street Bridge on City Island, with a commanding view of the city skyline. “We strongly believe that a full service dining and entertainment complex on City Island would be very popular,” said the Mayor. “Almost daily we receive comments from visitors requesting more extensive dining and entertainment options on the Island.”

Reed said the Request for Proposals includes requirements for year-round operations, indoor and al frescoe dining, entertainment, and full developer financing. The city will provide a minimum of a ten-year or longer renewable lease for the site, which because of its location in a floodplain, will require the successful developer to construct the facility in accordance with floodplain construction standards, the same as for all other City Island structures. Any new facility must also use the City Island design standards, which include the use of exterior lighting to highlight any buildings and landscaping.

The Mayor said more than 1.6 million visitors annually attend events or visit the Island and its many attractions, providing a substantial potential market for the new restaurant. Parking is available for restaurant patrons on both City Island lots and at the City Island Parking Garage.

Persons interested in receiving a copy of the RFP should contact the Mayor‘s Office of Special Projects at Suite 405, City Government Center, Harrisburg, PA 17101, or call 717.255.6455. The deadline for submissions will be November 7, 2003.

XXX