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Lease talks for Skippers River Cafe focus on barges, marine surveys and escrow options
Summary
Business representatives and the commission discussed whether a full marine survey of lease barges would answer stability concerns; merchants and staff suggested escrow/security language as a practical alternative to expensive marine surveys and insurance.
Representatives for the proposed Skippers River Cafe lease told the Board the primary open question was the condition and mooring of barges used by the business and whether a full marine survey would provide useful assurance.
Des Garg, speaking for Superbrewer Cafe, summarized outreach to multiple marine surveyors and said the consensus was that a full, certified marine survey would be lengthy and expensive and likely produce conclusions similar to an existing letter. "Without exception," he said, "each of those gentlemen ... indicated that a full-blown marine survey's going to be expensive ... and all it's going to do is give an opinion of the existing conditions." He added that the barges are currently resting on water depths ranging roughly from 12 feet on the shore side to 20 feet on the river side, and that surveyors raised mooring as a principal concern.
Commissioners discussed alternative protections in the lease. One idea floated was requiring a monthly escrow payment from the operator to cover salvage or removal costs if the barges needed pulling or scrapping; commissioners and staff said that approach could function in lieu of conventional insurance and build funds over time. Staff agreed to draft lease language and return in January for review.
Commissioners also discussed practical salvage options and potential damage to riverbank landscaping or sidewalk if a barge needed to be pulled to shore, and whether proceeds from scrap would be returned to the city if removal occurred. No final lease action was taken; staff will draft recommended lease clauses and follow up with the lessee.
Next step: staff to draft proposed lease language (escrow/security and repair/removal clauses) and circulate to commissioners before the January meeting.
