HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 Renovate Hurricane Habor ebastian hopes to renovate former Hurricane Harbor site by next spring : TCPa1m Page 1 of 2
IC PA L
Sebastian hopes to renovate former Hurricane
Harbor site by next spring
SEBASTIAN —Next spring, tourists and residents may be able to buy fresh fish and
learn more about commercial fishing operations along the city's waterfront.
By April a fish market, an eatery and a fishing-based demonstration/assembly area
could be in operation at the site of the former Hurricane Harbor in the 1500 block of
Indian River Drive.
Last summer, the city completed the purchase of the former Hurricane Harbor site and
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a smaller site to the south known as the Dabrowski parcel with the use of state and
local money.
The 1.4-acre Hurricane Harbor site was purchased for$2.3 million, with about$2.07
million coming from the Stan Mayfield Working Waterfront Grant program. The city
provided the remaining $233,000 from money in its Community Redevelopment Area
fund.
The Dabrowski parcel was purchased for$750,000, with $450,000 coming from the
grant program and the rest from the city's community redevelopment area fund. City
officials have said the sites can aid tourism as well as the commercial fishing industry
in the area.
The properties are being leased to a group of commercial fishermen, known as
Fisherman's Landing Sebastian,whose members include former Indian River County
Tax Collector Charles Sembler. The Sembler family has been involved in the clam and
commercial fishing industry for many years in the Sebastian area.
The city, however, still maintains responsibility for renovations needed at the Hurricane
Harbor site. In July, it was estimated the repairs and renovations including a new roof
could cost$180,000, but that number was later revised and budgeted at$200,000.
At Wednesday's meeting of the city's Waterfronts Committee, City Manager Al Minner
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ti Sebastian hopes to renovateformerHurricaneHarborsiteby next spring : TCPa1m Page2 of2
said he is seeking to increase the budget to $250,000 and have Fisherman's Landing
Sebastian take over responsibility for the repairs and renovations at the site. The group
already is responsible for restoration of the fish house at the Dabrowski property.
The City Council is expected to consider the lease changes next Wednesday in its
capacity as the Community Redevelopment Agency.
According to Minner, the city's money would go further by having the group also be
responsible for renovations at the former Hurricane Harbor site because it would
reduce the need to contract for such services. Minner said the group could more easily
devote time and manpower to the project.
He also said it would be better to have the group oversee the project to ensure the
specific interior and exterior plans it has are carried out. In addition, Minner argued the
group would be able to get the work done and have the building opened sooner if it
were in charge of the renovations.
Minner said Wednesday p
that Indian River Seafood is expected to enter into a sublease
to operate the fish market, which he described as the"heartbeat"of the facility.
The Fisherman's Landing group would have to submit pay requests for the money
used for renovations and Minner said he wanted to be able to demonstrate the money
was used for construction-related expenses. Some of the costs include an estimated
$75,000 for roof renovations and $60,000 in electric work.
Committee Chairman John Conway and the two other committee members present
Wednesday indicated their support for the lease modification. Conway said allowing
the fisherman's group to be responsible for the work would ensure the money will be
spent on the right things.
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