After 35 years, Tavern on the Green gets new operator

The New York City Parks Department has awarded the new operating lease for Tavern on the Green to Dean Poll, who also operates the Central Park Boathouse restaurant. Poll will be taking over the lease January 1, 2010, and he plans to do a $25 million renovation to the building. The renovations are expected to take three and a half years, and Poll has said the restaurant will remain open throughout the construction.

Tavern on the Green employs nearly 500 Hotel Trades Council members, and according to HTC President Peter Ward, the workforce has been "an essential ingredient to [the restaurant's] success." The Parks Department made it clear early on that any new operator would have to retain Tavern's existing employees by seniority within each job classification, and Ward expects Poll to work quickly to ensure a smooth transition for the employees and to assume the contract with the union.

Collins, Glenn. Boathouse operator to run Tavern on the Green, and changes are planned. NY Times, August 28, 2009.
Fickenscher, Lisa. City picks new Tavern on the Green leaseholder. Crain's NY Buseiness, August 28, 2009.
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