Design Review Committee approves exterior plan for 415 Main Street, conditions outdoor seating on alcohol-code compliance

The Evansville City Design Review Committee on Dec. 10 approved the exterior design for a proposed steakhouse at 415 Main Street, with a condition that any outdoor seating and fencing comply with municipal sidewalk-cafe and alcohol permitting rules.

The applicant, identified in the meeting as Josh, described the project as “Mando, wood fire, steak and seafood, with a flare of Latin,” and said he plans to reopen the building as a high-end steakhouse that will serve alcohol and include seating along the side of the building. Committee members and staff discussed plans to reuse an existing wrought-iron fence, add balconies and railings in metal, and reface an existing sign for the new branding.

Committee staff pointed to the city’s sidewalk-cafe requirements and state alcohol rules as the central constraint on the proposed layout. A staff member summarized the relevant code and practice: sidewalk-cafe areas that serve alcohol generally must be abutting the building and be an enclosed extension of the property so alcohol is not carried through a public right-of-way. The staff member also cited the municipal sidewalk-cafe language (municipal code section 5.55) and said excise officers must review and approve any revised floor plan that includes a cafe area.

Josh told the committee he would keep a 5–6 foot opening for pedestrian flow and, after discussion, said he would move seating down the side of the building rather than maintain a front-facing seating area that would create a walk-through between the building and seating. He also said the project team expects to have branding and a sign design from a vendor called Grow by the end of the month and is targeting a February 1 date for initial opening, with balcony work planned for the following summer.

A committee member moved to approve the design “and that any modifications to the outdoor seating would have to be compliant with alcoholic beverage and the rest of the ordinances that are relevant to that.” The motion was seconded (the transcript does not name the seconder). The chair called for the vote and recorded an affirmative vote; the committee approved the application with the stated condition. The applicant was given paperwork and the meeting adjourned; the committee’s next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 14.

Article provenance: the committee’s discussion of sidewalk-cafe rules, the applicant’s confirmation of alcohol service, and the conditional approval are drawn directly from the committee meeting transcript of Dec. 10, 2024.