Developers brief council on downtown projects; Brew River owner says city breached 1999 parking deed

At a May 19 work session the Salisbury City Council heard updates from three downtown developers and sustained multiple public comments raising concerns about parking, affordable housing and the pace of city actions.

Justin Schaub, representing Brew River Land, told the council the Marina Landing project — and specifically a parking‑lot agreement for Lot 1AA — breaches a 1999 deed and agreement between developer Frank Hanna and the city. Schaub said the 1999 deed grants Brew River use of Lot 1AA and requires the city to maintain 114 parking spaces “in perpetuity, provided that the property remains a restaurant and is not vacant for more than 24 months.” He said Brew River’s attorney has submitted a draft complaint to the mayor’s office and asked the council to address the issue to avoid litigation. Schaub: “These rights that are spelled out in our deed cannot be transferred to another party.”

Developers then gave project updates. Brad Gillis (Salisbury Town Center Apartments LLC) said his company signed a land disposition agreement (LDA) with the city to build apartments on Parking Lots 111 and 15 and that the LDA makes the city’s commitment to build a public parking garage a “material term” of the agreement.…