Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 Lease Division DelaySebastian delays waterfront lease decision until March 13 : TCPalm Page 1 of 2 TCVAL �:t >(�,., °it:�_ gat, •_ ..: °.rt ._._it: Read more a:tcpalati.eo Sebastian delays waterfront lease decision until March 13 By Janet Begley Wednesday, February 27, 2013 Special to Treasure Coast Newspapers SEBASTIAN — City officials decided Wednesday to delay a decision on a renegotiated lease for the working waterfront in Sebastian until March 13. City Manager Al Minner had presented the council with a draft of a split lease, which calls for the city to operate the old Hurricane Harbor site, including a fish market, eatery and museum. The nonprofit group called Fisherman's Landing Sebastian Inc. would operate a small commercial fish house directly to the south, and pay $1 per month for 20 years. 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 year, a restaurant at the Hurricane Harbor site closed down because it exceeded the limited food service outlet permissible under the Working Waterfront grant. Some council members expressed concerns with certain aspects of the new lease, including a provision that gives Fisherman's Landing Sebastian the right to operate two special fundraising events a year without seeking city permission. Council member Andrea Coy said she would be in favor of the lease if the number of special events was reduced to one per year. "We're practically giving them the place so one fundraiser should be plenty," said Coy. "The fishermen need to go forth and fish, not go forth and party." But council member Jim Hill said he didn't think the number of events was large enough, and suggested more events like fish fry's should take place at the working waterfront. "If we have a little bit of vision, this could be a very exciting opportunity and a big draw into our community," said Hill. "If we bring 300 -5400 people into this community who have never been here before, it's something good for our city." http:Hwww.tcpalm.cominewsl 2013 /feb /271sebastian- delays- waterfront - lease- decision -... 2/28/2013 Sebastian delays waterfront lease decision until March 13 : TCPahn Page 2 of 2 Part of the proposed lease includes a provision that the city rebuild the small fish house, which the city estimates will cost $325,000. Vice Mayor Don Wright asked if the lease could specify that the construction was contingent on receiving a Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) grant city officials had applied for. "I'm concerned with the financial obligations of the city to build the fish house," said Wright. "I really see the grant money as an important part of this lease, and I think we need to make construction subject to the grant." In the end, Minner said he would incorporate the council's recommendations into the lease and bring it back for review at their next council meeting. If approved by the City Council, the lease would still need to be reviewed by the Florida Community Trust, which oversees the Stan Mayfield grant for the Department of Environmental Protection and Fisherman's Landing Sebastian. © 2013 Scripps Newspaper Group — Online http:Hwww.tcpalm.com /news /2013 /feb /271sebastian- delays- waterfront - lease- decision -... 2/28/2013