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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012 Working on Lease Division Sebastian, Fisherman's Landing working on lease division for waterfront development : TCPa1m Page 1 of 2 TCPALM :III II I HI' Read more at tepalm_com Sebastian, Fisherman's Landing working on lease division for waterfront development By Janet Begley Tuesday, July 24 2012 SEBASTIAN —An eatery and museum at the working waterfront in Sebastian may be rY 9 Y getting back to work if the city and Fisherman's Landing Sebastian can agree on how to divide the lease on the property. The city owns two parcels in the 1500 block of Indian River Drive that are part of the working waterfront project. The first parcel is the old Hurricane Harbor site, which includes a fish market, eatery and museum. Only the fish market currently is operational. The second arcel is a small commercial fish house directly to the south of Hurricane P Y Harbor. Both parcels are leased to a nonprofit group of commercial fishermen called Fisherman's Landing Sebastian. To maintain better control of the Hurricane Harbor site, the city wants to renegotiate the lease and split the leases into two. The city would operate the fish market, eatery and museum, while Fisherman's Landing Sebastian would operate the small fish house. "The city feels that we can manage the multiple business aspects better," City Manager tY 9 p p Y 9 Al Minner said. "Our interests are more tied into the ancillary operations at Hurricane Harbor." Minner said Sebastian is committed to making sure the requirements of the Stan Mayfield Working Waterfront Grant that funded part of the riverfront development project are met. Last October, a restaurant at the Hurricane Harbor site closed down because it exceeded the limited food service outlet permissible under the Working Waterfront grant. Bill Tiedge, who operates Crab-E-Bills Indian River Seafood Market in the Hurricane Harbor building, has expressed interest in operating the snack bar once the leases have been divided. "My customers really want me to do it,"Tiedge said. "My idea is that you'll be able to go up to the window, get a basket of fish and sit wherever you want. It will be good- http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2012/jul/24/sebastian-fi shermans-landing-working-on-lease/?print=l 7/25/2012 Sebastian, Fisherman's Landing working on lease division for waterfront development : TCPalm Page 2 of 2 quality local fish for about$10." Minner said the once the leases are split, city officials will meet with Tiedge to see whether he is still interested in opening the eatery. If Tiedge decides to move ahead, city officials will work with him to make sure the proposed eatery is limited in service, menu and seating. But if Tiedge declines, then the city will seek out other operators through a request for proposal for the eatery only, Minner said. City staff will be working with Fisherman's Landing attorney Rich Stringer on the division of the lease over the next few weeks. It must then be approved by the Florida Community Trust, which oversees the grant program for the State Department of Environmental Protection and later by both Fisherman's Landing Sebastian and the Sebastian City Council. Minner said he's hopeful the snack bar can be up and running in October,just in time for the next fall/winter tourist season. "We want to be back to a place where you can get your fish sandwich," Minner said. ©2012 Scripps Newspaper Group—Online http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2012/jul/24/sebastian-fishermans-landing-working-on-lease/?print=1 7/25/2012