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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 - Newspaper Article State buys old Hurricane Harbor restaurant site in Sebastian : TC Palm Page 1 of 2 TCPALM h. . FLT V IDAS rP,EAJu_IR.E COAST AND PALM BEACHES Read more at tcpalm.com State buys old Hurricane Harbor restaurant site in Sebastian By Ed Bierschenk Wednesday, October 14,2009 SEBASTIAN —The state has purchased the site of the former Hurricane Harbor restaurant as part of a grant program that could aid fishing and tourism along the riverfront. The city of Sebastian will be responsible for 10 percent of the purchase price, which was estimated to be about $2.5 million, and may seek bids for operation of the facility. The state money is coming from the Stan Mayfield Working Waterfronts Grant program administered by Florida Communities Trust. City Manager Al Minner said the site could be used as a base for eco-tours and water transportation to the Sebastian Inlet. Other uses could include some type of community center with educational and culinary features focusing on the fishing industry; a marketplace; some type of museum; or an ice depot, which would provide ice for fishermen operating nearby. The state wasn't able to come to an agreement on the purchase of the former Sebastian Entertainment Center site, located north of Hurricane Harbor. Instead, the city might consider modifying its original grant request to purchase property to the south that contains a commercial dock and fish house. The estimated cost for this property is $1.5 million, as opposed to $1 million for the Sebastian Entertainment Center and might require the city to contribute up to $600,000 toward the purchase price rather than the $100,000 it was going to put toward the entertainment center purchase. The Sebastian City Council is expected to consider the grant modification request Wednesday night. The city's contribution for the Hurricane Harbor and the other property would come from money in the city's Community Redevelopment Area. These funds can only be used for projects benefiting that district. http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/oct/14/state-buys-old-hurricane-harbor-restaurant-... 10/14/2009 State buys old Hurricane Harbor restaurant site in Sebastian : TC Palm Page 2 of 2 Minner said the city would look at leasing the dock and fish house to Fisherman's Landing Sebastian Inc. to manage the fishing operation. The group consists of commercial fishermen, including former Indian River County Tax Collector Charles Sembler. That group had earlier looked to acquire the property on its own through the same grant program. MVO "PM ©2009 Scripps Newspaper Group—Online http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/oct/14/state-buys-old-hurricane-harbor-restaurant-... 10/14/2009