Commission weighs Krabby’s Dockside lease options as owners default; city staff to explore assignment or RFP

City staff presented a title report showing no other encumbrances on the Krabby’s Dockside land-lease parcel and asked the commission for direction on next steps after the tenant vacated with outstanding payments due.

Cheyenne Harnage, Director of Community and Economic Development, said the title report showed no mortgages and that staff sought guidance on lease termination and collecting outstanding amounts. Commissioners debated two tracks: give the current tenant a limited, commission-approved window (60–90 days) to identify an assignee who would pay back amounts owed and assume the lease, or immediately begin termination and mitigation steps to take possession of improvements and issue an RFP for a new tenant.

City Attorney advised that the lease permits assignment (with commission approval) and that, under the lease, improvements affixed to the building would become city property upon termination. Commissioners discussed legal and financial mechanics — acceleration clauses, mitigation obligations, and the risk of the tenant filing bankruptcy — and urged staff to explore assignment first while preparing for termination and re-leasing if assignment fails.

The commission asked the city attorney to continue negotiations with the tenant’s counsel and directed staff to return with options at the next regular meeting, with public comment to be allowed in any future assignment hearing.

What’s next: staff will continue settlement/assignment conversations with the tenant’s attorney and prepare materials (potential RFP and legal steps for termination) for the commission to consider at the next scheduled meeting.