A Mr. Gatti's restaurant seating 485 is coming to the Wilkinson Boulevard riverfront, perhaps by December as part of a $2.5 million complex, its developer says.
The project will include a fitness center and office, says Frankfort businessman Richard Hayes. The local planning commission approved the deal Thursday night 7-3.
The project will be built in two phases on 5.6 acres at 770 Wilkinson Boulevard, site of the old sand and gravel quarry on the Kentucky River's south side.
Hayes says the restaurant will have five party rooms and a 5,300 square-foot arcade with 55 games and numerous prizes. "I'm looking at having bumper cars in there," he said.
"There will be a sports room with a 10-foot TV and a 92-inch TV in the kids room. Wireless computers can be used in a quiet room."
He says he hopes the restaurant will be open by December.
"I was hoping it would have been open a year-and-a-half ago," he said.
The Frankfort/Franklin County Planning Commission approved Hayes' development plan Thursday with conditions, including adding windows and more brick or stone to the 25,000 square-foot metal building to improve the exterior's appearance.
Commissioner Joe Sanderson recommended the brick or stone. He said it would be the first redevelopment project along the river coming to the downtown area, "and if we're going to set a precedent we need to make it more attractive."
Sanderson also criticized the restaurant plan for lacking rear windows, because "we have a beautiful river back there."
Attorney Brian Hix, representing Hayes, said the absence of windows was primarily for security and customers would not benefit because trees block the river view.
Sanderson said some of the trees "probably could be selectively removed."
The planning commission also questioned the building's color. Hix said the building wouldn't be hunter orange or pink. He said neutral colors would be used, like earth.
Hix said Hayes has made a serious financial commitment to improve a blighted area and adding windows and brick will increase his costs and delay the project.
To help Hayes with costs, Sanderson said he would be willing to allow the lower parking lot, with 60 spaces, to be gravel instead of blacktop. The parking lot for the first phase, with 129 spaces, will be paved.
Seven voted to approve the development plan with conditions. Two, Brent Sweger and Charlie Booe, voted "no." Keith Lee abstained.
Hayes plans to dedicate an easement across the 5.6 acres, on which he holds an option, for the city's proposed bicycle-pedestrian path, which will run from River View Park to Cove Spring Park.
After the meeting, Hayes said the building will be attractive.
"I've never done anything in my life that wasn't attractive," he said. "I'd be cutting my own throat if it wasn't."
Hayes said the additional windows and brick could increase costs up to $10,000. And the gravel parking lot that was approved "will have to be paved in the end, anyway," he said.