July 8, 2015 -- Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino is looking for entrepreneurs with ideas to revitalize the site of the old Cantina Restaurant. The county is hoping to bring new life to this local landmark along the Saw Mill River Parkway by offering a license agreement to a qualified company for a restaurant or other revenue-generating operations, such as a catering hall, recreational facility or museum. Responses to a Request for Proposals (RFP) are due July 24.
"The old Cantina Restaurant was the scene of great food, fun and memories," Astorino said. "With access by car or adjacent hiking and biking trails, the ingredients are there to make this an attractive, must-visit destination."
The available site includes a 4,500 sq. ft. building with a 2,300 sq. ft. slate patio, an additional 250 sq. ft. stone building, and a parking lot. The site, accessed off the Saw Mill River Parkway, is approximately one mile north of Ashford Avenue in Ardsley and adjacent to the South County Trailway. Revenues to the county from the successful proposal would benefit the county's parks.
The Parks Department will host a pre-proposal conference for interested companies at 11 a.m. today at Woodlands Lake, Irvington, NY.
Completed proposals must be received no later than 2 p.m. on July 24, 2015 by the Office of the Director of Concessions, Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, 450 Saw Mill River Rd., Ardsley, NY 10502. The county reserves the right to accept, reject or negotiate modifications to any proposal.
The Woodlands Lake RFP is the first of several planned requests seeking to expand concessions and attractions at the county's many parks.