Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

City Wants Cafe to Replace 80-Year-Old Victory Diner at Midland Beach

By Nicholas Rizzi | October 7, 2014 3:21pm
 The city put out a request for proposals to build a new "high quality" cafe at the Midland Beach Splaza, to take the place of the historic Victory Diner that was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.
The city put out a request for proposals to build a new "high quality" cafe at the Midland Beach Splaza, to take the place of the historic Victory Diner that was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Nicholas Rizzi

MIDLAND BEACH — The city plans to open a "high quality" cafe at Midland Beach to replace a decades-old diner that was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy — and will give preference to those willing to use some of the cafe's relics.

The Parks Department is asking for proposals from companies wanting to open a cafe, with an optional snack bar, at the former site of the nearly 80-year-old Victory Diner at the "Midland Beach Splaza," near the intersection of Father Capodanno Boulevard and Seaview Avenue.

The Victory Diner, originally on 1781 Richmond Rd., closed in 2007 and was set to be demolished but had been saved by Island groups. It was set to be restored and reopened at the entranceway but was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, a spokeswoman for the Parks Department said.

All salvageable material from the diner, which had $6.2 million allotted to it by former Borough President James Molinaro in 2012, had been put into a container, the Parks spokeswoman said. But, during Sandy, the diner's frame and the container collided and caused severe damage.

While not required, Parks will "look favorably" to proposals that integrate surviving materials from the diner — including the "Victory Diner" sign — or add the story of its preservation into the design, according to the Request For Proposals.

The chosen operator will pay all costs to open the spot and will be locked into a 20-year term with the city, according to the RFP. The cafe must also not close later than 11 p.m.

"Staten Island's beaches drew thousands of visitors this summer thanks to a new family amusement park and exciting new summer programming," Parks Staten Island Commissioner Adena Long said in a statement.

"Our beaches have so much to offer and provide a host of opportunities and possibilities for businesses."

Parks will host a meeting at the site on Oct. 22 at 11:30 a.m. and the deadline for proposals is on Nov. 7.