Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 Restaurant in Violation with Grant Restaurant at Working Waterfront has other Sebastian businesses up in arms : TCPa1m Page 1 of 2 TC PAL rAULy HI Read more a.tcpalm,corn Restaurant at Working Waterfront has other Sebastian businesses up in arms By Janet Begley Monday September 19 2011 SEBASTIAN —Although it's been open less than a month, a restaurant located within the Fisherman's Landing complex at the Working Waterfront in Sebastian is already causing controversy along Indian River Drive. Neighbors and other business owners say that the new "Fisherman's Landing" restaurant is in violation of the Stan Mayfield Working Waterfront grant that was used to pay for the riverfront renewal project. "In our interpretation, it is not at all in compliance with the Working Waterfront grant," said John Campbell, the co-owner of Suzi's Tiki Bar, a neighbor to the south. "This project was not supposed to be any competition to us. It was supposed to be a snack bar and an educational venue, not a full service restaurant. It has absolutely nothing to do with education." The 1.4-acre Fisherman's Landing site, in the 1500 block of Indian River Drive, was purchased by the city in 2010 for$2.3 million. About$2.07 million came from the state's Stan Mayfield Working Waterfront Grant program. The city provided the remaining money from its Community Redevelopment Area fund. The Stan Mayfield Working Waterfront grant was designed to provide funding to purchase land that would be used for commercial fishing, aquaculture, education or businesses directly related to the fishing industry. An ancillary and limited food service outlet is permitted under the grant's parameters. The city entered into a public-private partnership with a non-profit group called Fisherman's Landing Sebastian, which leased the site from the city. The group then subleased out the 2,182 square foot restaurant space, which was formerly called Hurricane Harbor, to the McManus family for$2,000 a month. Sebastian City Manager Al Minner said that the eatery was intended to be limited in service, menu and seating, with approximately six tables. But the new table-service restaurant is operating with nine tables inside and ample dining space on two outside decks. It also has a full-service bar and is offering entertainment on weekends. http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/sep/19/restaurant-at-working-waterfront-has-other-up-in/?print=1 9/19/2011 Restaurant at Working Waterfront has other Sebastian businesses up in arms : TCPaIm Page 2 of 2 "It is very puzzling to us," said Campbell, who represents a group of about 15 local business owners who are calling themselves the "Sebastian Taxpayer Alliance." They've made the restaurant and bar the main focus of the Hurricane Harbor site instead of education." Minner agrees that the educational part of Fisherman's Landing is lacking, but said that the project is still a work in progress. He anticipates that as the entire project is completed with refurbishment of the fish house, docks, ice house and other parts, the scale of the eatery will seem smaller, bringing the complete project within the parameters of the grant. In the meantime, Minner said Fisherman's Landing has been put on notice to make some operation modifications which include keeping tables/seats limited; finishing the museum portion of the facility; and better delineating the eatery from the common areas of the building. He said that the City ty Council will address the matter at its next meeting on Sept. 28. "It's not fair to run this out on a rail just yet," said Minner. "But I'm concerned that the perception is that the activities are outside the scope of what's permitted under the grant. At the end of the day, the city needs to make sure we're in compliance with the grant and that everyone's reasonable expectations are met." Attorney Rich Stringer is representing Fisherman's Landing Sebastian in its lease with the city for the site. In a letter to Minner, Stringer said that any problems the city has with operations must be addressed with his client, not the vendors who are operating at the site. Campbell said that the taxpayer alliance has hired an attorney and is prepared to pursue legal action if the city does not comply with the terms of the grant. "If this is handled wrong, we, as the City of Sebastian, could lose the right to get government grants," said Campbell. "This is more than just some bars and restaurants complaining about competition." ©2011 Scripps Newspaper Group—Online http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/sep/19/restaurant-at-working-waterfront-has-other-up-in/?print=1 9/19/2011