A sports bar is the only bidder that the city will consider to take over the space vacated by the 28 Lister Chophouse Grill.

The only complete bid is for a franchise of Wendel Clark's Classic Grill and Bar.

There were two submissions in response to a request for proposals for the corner unit of the Lister building but one was disqualified for being incomplete, says Rom D'Angelo, director of facility management and capital programs for the city.

D'Angelo says the Wendel Clark's bid is being reviewed by city staff and a recommendation is expected to go to city council in the next couple of weeks.

City staff had hoped for more interest when 15 bid packages were picked up by parties that included a number of Hamilton restaurateurs.

Wendel Clark's, which is partially owned by the former Maple Leafs captain, operates locations in Burlington and Vaughan, where burgers are $13 to $19 and entrees range from $17 for a veggie stir-fry to $34 for a signature strip loin steak.

The prices are a far cry from the failed 28 Lister's $55 strip loin and dressed up poutine for $19.

The Wendel Clark's website says the eatery "cleverly combines the comfort and warm atmosphere of a lounge with the upbeat energy of a sports bar. The design of the space and the menu selection has been engineered to appeal to sports fans as well as families, groups, business people and women."

Sam D'Uva, CEO of Dynamic Hospitality and Entertainment Group, which franchises the Wendel Clark's chain, said he wasn't aware their bid stood alone in Hamilton.

"I guess it's good news but we haven't been formally informed, so it's not appropriate to comment now."

He said the bid was submitted by a company that bought a Wendel Clark's franchise but Dynamic Hospitality approved the Lister building site and helped with the submission.

The low number of bidders echoes the first round of finding a restaurant to occupy the space in the historic and restored city building. There were three bidders in early 2013 but two dropped out during negotiations.

That left Chris DesRoches. The former owner of the La Costa chain was awarded a 10-year lease in April 2013. The high-end 28 Lister Chophouse didn't open until September 2014 and by then had been plagued with complaints from suppliers, contractors and employers about nonpayment.

A Spectator investigation a few months before uncovered a litany of business and personal financial problems in DesRoches' past, which city staff were not aware of when the lease was awarded to him.

The city terminated its lease with DesRoches in early November for nonpayment of rent and other fees.

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D'Angelo says if the Wendel Clark's bid isn't recommended by city staff, the scope of the request for proposals will have to be re-evaluated.

He said a number of interested parties complained about a letter of credit required by the city and some were put off by the fact that the restaurant must share washrooms in the public hall of the building.