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Riviera Beach CRA authorizes lease negotiations with Rafiki Tiki, asks staff to verify market rent
Summary
The CRA voted to permit the executive director to negotiate final lease terms with Rafiki Tiki for the marina restaurant space, adding board direction to obtain an independent appraisal, include clawback/relocation protections and return the final lease for approval.
The Riviera Beach CRA on Nov. 12 approved a motion to authorize the executive director to negotiate a new lease term sheet with Rafiki Tiki LLC for the city marina restaurant space and directed staff to obtain an appraisal and include provisions to protect CRA interests if a redevelopment offer displaces the tenant.
Board members debated renewing or replacing the five-year lease while an RFP for marina redevelopment remains active. Chair Lanier expressed concern about granting a long-term renewal while proposals for the larger marina redevelopment were still incoming; other commissioners emphasized that the restaurant is currently an active, well-used public-facing business that draws customers to the waterfront.
Public comment strongly favored the existing operator. Margaret Sheppard, a Riviera Beach resident, told the board, "He rolls out the red carpet... He deserves it," praising Dimitri Salom27s service and community contributions.
Key directions: the board asked staff to obtain an independent appraisal to identify market rent and negotiated terms; inclusion of clawback and relocation provisions was requested so a future developer cannot claim reimbursement liabilities against the CRA without board approval. City staff confirmed there is no immediate fiscal liability to the CRA under the current term-sheet negotiations and said any final lease would return to the board for approval.
Next steps: staff will secure an appraisal, incorporate the board's direction about market rent and protective language, and come back with a final lease for formal board approval. The authorization to negotiate does not itself grant a final lease or a conveyance of CRA property.
