Advisory board backs 15‑year renewal for Boathouse Key West despite public complaints about rent and plastic‑straw clause

The Caroline Street Corridor advisory board recommended that the CRA approve a 15‑year lease renewal with Boathouse Key West LLC to continue occupancy of city property at 1231 Margaret Street in the Historic Seaport.

During public comment Leon Moyer said the price tenants pay is “way too high,” saying combined charges looked to him like about $52,000 a month and “almost three quarters of $1,000,000 per year.” He also objected to a clause in the proposed lease that references Key West ordinance language prohibiting plastic straws, calling that provision “micromanaging” and arguing it will raise costs for consumers.

Gary Marrera, a board member and staff presenter, said Boathouse leases are percentage‑rent deals and that base rent is calculated at 6% of anticipated revenue; the leases are structured as triple‑net, which shifts some maintenance costs to tenants. Marrera and staff emphasized that the rent is derived from market calculations and that the arrangement helps the city recover upland maintenance expenses.

Board members debated long‑term commitments and acknowledged the tenant’s investment in the property; staff said the tenant had invested roughly $2 million in building improvements. After discussion a motion to recommend approval was made, seconded and adopted by roll call. The recorded votes on the motion were: Gerard — yes; Henson — yes; Malone — yes; Chairman Knowles — yes. The recommendation now advances to the CRA/City Commission for final approval.

The public record presented at the meeting did not include the lease’s exact monthly base rent or a complete breakdown of taxes and insurance; those figures were discussed in general terms by speakers but not restated by staff during the vote. The board did not change the challenged straw language during the advisory vote; any contract edits would be handled in subsequent negotiation steps and by the CRA/commission.