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Cape Coral negotiates new boathouse concession; council sets July 16 deadline and flags safety concerns
Summary
Council and the boathouse operator continued negotiations over a replacement concession agreement for the burned Boat House at JC Park. City manager reported ongoing talks; council asked for a firm resolution by July 16 and raised public-safety concerns about the partially standing structure ahead of hurricane season.
City staff and the current concessionaire at the JC Park boathouse told Cape Coral's committee-of-the-whole on May 28 that they are continuing negotiations on a replacement concession or settlement agreement after the October fire that destroyed the boathouse.
City Manager and staff said negotiations remain narrowly focused and that a settlement agreement and concession term sheet are close, but unresolved. The concessionaire, Kearns Restaurant Group, said it remains willing to rebuild and asked for time to finalize terms. "We are more than capable, willing, and able to do it," Kearns said.
Council members said the city should set a firm timeline for resolution because more than 200 days had passed since the fire and the partly standing structure remains at the site with hurricane season approaching. Councilmember Dan Shepard and others expressed concern about debris and the potential for loose material to become projectiles during storms.
Council and staff agreed on two near-term actions: 1) staff will continue negotiations with Kearns with a target date for a completed agreement of July 16, 2025; and 2) if the concessionaire formally consents to cancellation of the existing lease, the city manager said the city would immediately authorize demolition and permit issuance so demolition can proceed. The city manager also said staff were prepared to issue a demolition permit if the parties reached settlement terms requiring removal of the remains.
Kearns offered a short-term accommodation on its side: representatives said they would be willing to pay demolition costs if the city would acknowledge lease cancellation and permit removal, but they said they preferred to reach an agreed settlement that would allow reconstruction and continued operation.
Ending: Council set a clear near-term expectation for a resolution while flagging public-safety and permitting steps that would apply if an agreed settlement were not reached. Staff will return on July 16 with the outcome of negotiations or a recommended alternative procurement or legal path.
