Erie, Business
Erie authority approves agreement for planned downtown dining, retail project
About 5,000 square feet is planned for Malbec, while an existing business plans to expand into the remaining retail space. Site planning, final design and permitting come next; construction is expected to begin in 2027.
On Sept. 22, the Town of Erie Urban Renewal Authority (TOEURA) Board approved an agreement with Gaia Development to redevelop a vacant property at Briggs Street and Maxwell Avenue with a 13,000-square-foot commercial building.
About 5,000 square feet of the building is planned for Malbec, a new full-service Argentine restaurant from the Erie-based team behind Piripi. The remaining retail space will be occupied by an existing Erie business seeking to expand and relocate to a larger venue. “We are anxious to bring more business to the heart of Erie,” said Victoria Meyer of Gaia Development.
With the Disposition, Development, and Reimbursement Agreement approved, the project will continue through site planning, final design and permitting. Construction is expected to begin in 2027. Gaia Development plans site improvements, including landscaping and an outdoor gathering area.
TOEURA purchased the property for $585,000 in 2024 to facilitate its future redevelopment. Following a competitive selection process, Gaia Development was chosen as the preferred development team in April 2026. The new $7.3 million commercial development is slated to serve as a prominent southern gateway to Downtown Erie, the Town of Erie said.