The Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corp. is looking for a few good proposals seeking would-be tenants for the former Ya Ya Bayou Brewhouse restaurant space in the Market Arcade complex.
Bids are due back by June 30 to the Buffalo Office of Strategic Planning.
The restaurant abruptly closed last fall, making it the third such eatery to close down at the location.
Tim Wanamaker, head of the Buffalo Office of Strategic Planning, said all of the proposals will be reviewed by both BERC and an outside advisory panel comprised of local real estate experts.
The 8,000-square-foot former restaurant site is considered a crucial piece of real estate in downtown's Theater District. Buffalo has invested more than $1 million in incentives and other perks, helping the three previous restaurants -- Breckenridge Brewery & Pub, Empire Brewery and Ya-Ya's -- make a go of it at the location.
BERC is looking for a tenant willing to sign a five-year lease for the property.
In March, a group of arts organizations -- CEPA Gallery, Just Buffalo Literary Center Inc. and the Big Orbit Gallery -- decided not to expand into the Ya Ya space from a neighboring building in the Market Arcade complex.
