Water Works Pavilion includes a second-floor dine-in restaurant that offers year-round views of the Downtown Minneapolis riverfront
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) seeks a highly qualified restaurant and concession operator for Water Works Pavilion in Mill Ruins Park.
Water Works Pavilion opened in 2021 at 425 West River Parkway. The 7,800-square-foot, two story building is next to the Stone Arch Bridge along the Downtown Minneapolis riverfront. It consists of carefully preserved mill remnants, a year-round dine-in restaurant, a meeting room that can be rented for events, six bathrooms, and a visitor center welcome desk.
The park area outside the pavilion includes social seating and terraced green spaces, outdoor patio overlooking the river, a plaza with three gas firepits, native plants and a nature-themed playground for small children. The area is part of Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park, which attracts nearly 3.6 million visitors annually.
Request for Proposals
The current operator’s contract expires in April 2026. The MPRB is interested in reviewing all proposals related to operation of the Water Works Pavilion, with the goal of having a new operator in place in May.
A Request For Proposals (RFP) is available now. Proposals are due Friday, January 23, 2026 at 5 pm. There are two walkthroughs for interested parties at Water Works Pavilion, on January 12 at 10 am and January 16 at 9 am. Read the “Schedule” section below for full details.
The RFP linked below has full detailed information on the opportunity, how to apply, and the evaluation and selection process: