From Judith Brown, a commentary
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I just read the interesting article in the Courant about a possible new lease and a new group of people managing the Harbor Park restaurant. This could be a real plus and a very exciting development; however, having seen the kinds of leases the city has signed in the past, I wonder if the public will be able to see and comment on the proposed new lease before the Council votes on it on Monday. Will the new lease, for example, have the same provision as the old one, allowing the lesees and their descendants ad infinitum to renew the lease at their pleasure, regardless of whether the city is happy with the way they run Harbor Park or not? Are there reasonable provisions for termination of the lease by the city? Are there reasonable provisions for changing the rent that is charged so as to provide much needed revenues to the city while also creating incentives for good restaurant managers to make the changes that will turn this into a restaurant that is not only profitable but also high quality well into the future.Have members of the public seen the proposed document? What plans are there for the public to be informed in a timely manner about its contents so as to allow for comment in the next few days as well as at the Council meeting? Without such transparency there is no possibility of influencing the outcome and there is a high probability of entering once more into an agreement that is not benefitial to the city at large. Harbor Park is an important site in Middletown – essential to the future of the city’s downtown. We need transparency about this transaction.
10 comments:
It is good to ask questions and I hope that the author and anyone else who wants answers will take it upon themselves to ask these directly of the involved people at City Hall. Posting them onto this blog is effective to raise the questions in the public eye, and they might even be read by city representatives or Common Council members. However, it is not a forum to get any official response or to really allow you the opportunity to provide input. I don't know who the correct contacts are but you can call or email City Hall and see if you can find out. If you do, please let us know what you find out!
When I read in the Eye about a "new" operator for the Harbor Park Restaurant I had some of the same questions Judith asked, and more.
Does Middletown need one more great, expensive restaurant, more than it needs a variety or recreational opportunities? Why serve only those who can afford an expensive meal, when you can operate a venture that might draw more city residents to the harbor area. Should city land serve residents primarily, or serve to bring others from out of town, into one location for just a meal. Why was an RFP not issued?
Would the residents of the city be better served with an affordable quick stop in and out food café, or bakery/ bistro. Yes, serve "good" food, but be a family stopping place for a summer day after a bike ride or time on the water with a paddle, row, sail, or fishing adventure.
In the long run, what will draw a greater number of folks to the water-front and thus the city of Middletown? How about a hot spot of recreational activities? Why does this building have to remain a restaurant? Why not see if a Kayak/Canoe outfitter is interested in operating from this space maybe operating a small restaurant/bakery as part of the allure of coming to the river for part of the day? Why are no creative ideas for uses of this land on the table for consideration, evaluation; before what appears to be the assumption that the best use is as a restaurant. Could be, but come on lets be creative, let's invest some time in thought into out of the box ideas, be bold, have some fun, think big, why not a water park, why not an outfitter, why not a river's edge nature/historical center. WE need more than just restaurants as economic drivers in town, the river is an attraction, and it is being unsold if all you can image is a restaurant for this location on the river. Let’ explore other economic driver besides a restaurant, to help the economy of Middletown, or at least explore the idea of it, before settling on some “fact?” that a restaurant is the best use of this city land and a city owned building, and give the community a chance to participate in what might become of city property.
It was clear there was a choice to be made - Frank Maratta for 22 more years or a new operator.
The lease was not going to go away and the city was not going to get Maratta out because of a few noise complaints, bar fights and formly delinquent taxes..
That being said the Mayors decision to fight was the right one and resulted in a great outcome..Good bar "Red Dog on the River" and hello to something with some class.
Seems to me that in order to remove the current leasee, the business buying it out must be in the same business as the leasee. No RFP can be issued as this matter was in the court system for resolve. This was the agreement both parties seemed to settle on. The waters off Harbor Park are right on the channel which boat traffic uses to travel. A canoe/kayak business would have trouble getting approval on this site from a number of government agencies because it is on the navigable waterway. Launching canoes/kayaks would be detrimental to river traffic which uses that channel.
Re: Harbor Park
A landlord will undertake to execute a commercial lease for a long term at a reasonable rate to induce a commercial tenant to undertake substantial capital improvements such as new kitchens, decor, and other replacment of exhausted building equipment. Further, the landlord will attempt to provide a tenant that can operate on a year round basis to a large clientele and is experienced as are the prospective tenants in operating a waterside venue. Quite frankly meals in Harbor Park provide a greater return per square foot to both tenant and landlord alike as opposed to kayak sales or incidental meals to a limited clientele. While it is desirable to be informed of the terms of a lease contract it is also necessary to understand the dynamics at work.
Would someone please post where on the river (in the vicinity of Harbor Park) you can canoe so this question can be answered?
Even though Beth got some of the specifics wrong (RFP/lease), her point is well-taken: there have to be other options to go down to the river for the rest of the population not having dinner or a beer. Why not have an entire menu of options so everyone can enjoy the riverfront? What we have is lacking, and we something more robust.
It was a pretty long run there for Frank Marrata since his Dad Frank Sr and his Attorny Carl Fortuna Sr (Middletowns finest lawyer I might add)Inked a deal back in the mid to late 80's with the Mayor at that time whom most likely was a good friend of Attorney Fortuna's. SO Yes The Marratta Family legacy was finally crushed by the Mayor who decifered the fine print as it was written by the city and Marratta back then. It was actually quite a steal and it was a great run Now Mr Marratta can go back to his beach bar in Old Lyme (the Pavillion)
Those who enjoy the atmosphere and food at Harbor Park also enjoy its sibling in Old Lyme. From my point of view, they are large bar scenes for very young people. The food has nothing to do with these establishments.
To Anon 7:09...
A canoe / kayak launch at Harbor Park presently exists.
In fact, the published Mattabessett canoe / kayak "trail" runs from behind Dunkin Donuts in Cromwell to Harbor Park. A common practice for users is to leave a car at HP, launch from Cromwell, float to HP, and drive back to Cromwell.
Catherine...
As a kayaker, I am unaware of any restriction that prevents a canoe or kayak from using any body of water where other boats are allowed.
As I read the rules, human powered boats are second in the right-of-way chain, behind vessels "not under command", or moored.
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