Developer plans two high-end restaurants in York: Group also will tear down other buildings to make way for parking, green space

Alcohol will be poured again at the former Allison's Bar, thanks to a vote by the York City Council to approve the transfer of a liquor license to Royal Square Development.

While the group remained mum about the concept for the site during a public hearing Tuesday, Alex Dwyer, who heads Royal Square's retail division, said that they have brought in a well-known restaurateur who owns six restaurants in the area to help design a split-use space at 101-107 S. Duke St.

The developers have worked hard to bring in a new audience that's tied to an art movement in the area and want to retain it. "To do that, we need food and beverage options," she said.

Two "high-end" restaurants are planned for the buildings, which includes a space previously owned by Korey Leslie's Law office. Dwyer said the restaurants will share the same wait-staff and kitchen.

"Downtown is growing and it's vibrant," she said. "The more options for (visitors), the longer they'll stay."

Allison's has been vacant for several years after acquiring a reputation as a nuisance bar and will need significant rehabilitation. Royal Square has not officially purchased it from the Redevelopment Authority. It has an option to do so and plans to open the new restaurants by the spring, she said.

Josh Hankey, president and CEO, said the RDA also has approved the group's option to buy properties at 123-129 S. Duke St. Royal Square will tear them down to create additional parking and green space.

Hankey said after the meeting that all of the buildings the group has purchased were formerly vacant or underutilized buildings. Several had tenants living in them, including Allison's before it was purchased by the RDA.

The group has helped tenants either find other homes in the area or allowed them to remain in buildings after they were updated, he said.

Keeping long-time residents in the area is an important part of fostering diversity and inclusiveness in the neighborhood, said John McElligott, vice president and CCO.

"We want to keep them on the block," McElligott said. "Everyone has been a part of building up."

The city council also voted unanimously to extend York's contract with White Rose Ambulance. The terms of the deal include a three-year extension where White Rose will be paid $90,000 for the first two years and $100,000 for the third year, documents show.

The extension became controversial after White Rose requested a rate increase after holding costs flat at $70,000 a year for more than 25 years.

James Arvin, president of the company, previously told the council that he could not continue to absorb the constant increases to the cost of doing business.

Source: YDR.com