NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - It had a rich and glorious past and now it seems like Tavern on the Green finally has a future.

WCBS 880′s Peter Haskell On The Story

New York City has chosen an operator to run this restaurant on the edge of Central Park.

The Philadelphia-based Emerald Green Group has plans for a casual dining spot with Katy Sparks as executive chef.

It will be unlike the more formal atmosphere of the past.

Carol Hirsch lives in the neighborhood and prefers the casual idea.

“That’s one thing that would have kept me away in the past, was that, you know, sometimes the menu pricing was too high, or you know, it was you just didn’t want to get dressed up and do it,” she told WCBS 880 reporter Peter Haskell. “But it’s such a beautiful building in such a great spot. I’d absolutely love it if they did something like that.”

Tavern has been closed for more than two years and the new space is expected to open late next year.