Committee backs Market House lease amid unresolved parking-concession dispute

The Annapolis Economic Matters Committee on Oct. 15 gave a favorable recommendation to O33-25, the city lease for Market House and the adjoining Market Plaza, while members and local business owners pressed city staff about unresolved pricing and contract issues tied to the Hillman Parking Garage concession agreement.

Committee members said the lease recommendation preserves current market operations while the city seeks Medco/AMRP approval of an “alternative rate” under appendix 10/10B of the garage concession agreement. The chair and business owners warned that failure to reach a workable rate could force Market Plaza’s five tenants to stop operating and return the area to vehicle parking.

The tenants’ representatives — Chris Hannon of McGarvey’s, Kevin Havens of McGarvey’s and Kenny Pembleton of Iron Rooster — told the committee the plaza depends on an exemption to a bag-meter formula in the concession agreement. Hannon said the five tenants currently pay an “effective rate of $28.50” per space per day and that the original Hillman projection assumed about $15.50 per space; if the prevailing-meter rate were multiplied by the 17.5 factor in the concession agreement, the…