City mulls parking lot for Esplanade Riel restaurant

The restaurant on Esplanade Riel is poised to gain access to its own parking lot on the St. Boniface side of the pedestrian bridge.

City council's property committee will consider a lease amendment on Tuesday morning that would grant Mon Ami Louis access to six parking stalls on Taché Avenue land that belongs to the city's water and waste department.

The restaurant's owner, a numbered company controlled by Wow Hospitality, desires the lot because "parking is very limited for patrons and staff," according to a report to the property committee.

The lot would be leased to Mon Ami Louis for $1 a year, provided the restaurant clears snow and puts up its own no parking sign.

The lease amendment also calls for Mon Ami Louis to gain access to 410 square feet of additional outdoor patio space, facing south along the Red River. The cost for this space would be five per cent of gross sales.

Mon Ami Louis opened in 2015. Two previous restaurants — a Salisbury House location and Chez Sophie sur la Pont — were located on the bridge.