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Harbor Commission recommends two waterfront leases and opens commercial‑fishing slip lottery as dredge arrives
Summary
Commissioners recommended lease negotiations for a proposed Harbor Tavern at 113 Harbor Way upstairs and for the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum to take a small office; they were also informed that applications opened for a designated 30‑ft commercial fishing slip and that the dredge Sandpiper had arrived to begin mobilization.
The Harbor Commission recommended staff begin lease negotiations for two waterfront tenants and received operations updates on a commercial‑fishing slip lottery and dredging activity.
After reopening the RFP for the upstairs restaurant space at 113 Harbor Way, waterfront staff reviewed a submission by On the Land LLC (doing business as Harbor Tavern). Waterfront Business Manager Cesar Barios said the proposers plan $500,000–$700,000 in tenant improvements and projected roughly $3.5 million in annual revenue; the Commission voted unanimously to recommend the City negotiate a lease with the proposer and bring a draft lease back for council review.
The Commission similarly recommended lease negotiations with the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (Dark Coffee) for a 156 sq ft office at 113 Harbor Way to support café and administrative operations; the museum is a 501(c)(3) with a high donor‑confidence score and provided financial information for review.
Harbor Operations Manager Nathan Aldridge announced the application window for a designated 30‑foot commercial fishing slip lottery opened that week and runs two weeks; qualifying applicants must hold a commercial fishing permit, a registered commercial fishing vessel, and at least $15,000 in commercial‑fishing landings in the past two years. The lottery drawing will be held at next month’s Harbor Commission meeting and the selected names will be offered the slip in order until accepted.
Director Mike Wilshshire reported that the dredge Pacific Dredge Sandpiper had arrived and would begin mobilizing immediately with pumping expected early the following week.
What happens next: staff will negotiate draft leases and return them to the Harbor Commission and council for final approval; slip lottery participants will be contacted for the March drawing; dredging operations will proceed under the waterfront’s project schedule.
