Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich is hoping to speed up the city’s regulatory process involving the permitting of a new upscale steakhouse on Point Cadet since the development has already been months in the making.
The Saltgrass Steakhouse, a brand owned by Golden Nugget parent firm Landry’s, appeared before the city’s Development Review Committee on Thursday, where key city departments reviewed the initial plans. The proposed restaurant, to be situated at the northeast corner of Myrtle Street and U.S. 90, now heads to the city’s Architectural and Historic Review Committee.
“Quite frankly, the developers of this restaurant had wanted to go on the waterfront, between the Golden Nugget and Margaritaville, but they couldn’t come to agreement with the secretary of state, who controls Tidelands leases,” Gilich said. “As a result, the developers opted to purchase land on the north side of U.S. 90, and build there, and our goal is to help meet all city standards and requirements, but do it in a timely manner, since there have already been so many delays.”
Gilich is proposing that since the area remains classified as an historic district, that the AHRC meet on Jan. 12, two weeks earlier than its scheduled meeting, and that the city’s months-old Tree Committee also speed up its review of the development. All the necessary public notices for the project would be satisfied, despite the accelerated schedule.