City of Austin Looking for European-Style Cafe to Anchor its New Library

Rendering of the new Austin Central Library

The City of Austin, Texas, has issued an RFP for coffee shop owners and restaurateurs who may be interested in leasing and operating a sprawling indoor/outdoor cafe at the city’s new Central Library, scheduled to open in 2016.

The city says it is modeling the cafe concept after a location of La Place Restaurant at the Amsterdam Central Library, which offers library visitors a range of easily prepared fresh food and pastry options, with a full coffee and espresso menu. The Austin space will occupy 3,786 square feet adjacent to an outdoor seating area of 2,065 square feet. The city says it wants the library cafe to become a “food and beverage destination.”

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Proposals are due to the City of Austin by January 31, 2014,  and RFP details can be found at www.austintexas.gov/realestate under “Properties for Lease.” The point of contact for this RFP is Mashell Smith, who is available by phone at 512-974-7149. For more info, check out the City of Austin website.

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