The cancellation added to some officials' frustrations with the proposed deal.
By CARRIE JOHNSON
Published October 26, 2004
ST. PETERSBURG - City Council members will wait another three weeks to discuss a deal to turn over control of the Mahaffey Theater after city staffers canceled a scheduled workshop on the topic.
At least three of the council's eight members weren't aware that Monday's workshop was canceled. They arrived at City Hall ready to discuss the proposal that would give Pinellas businessman Bill Edwards control of the 2,000-seat theater and a new outdoor concert venue in exchange for a large donation and a loan.
Development administrator Rick Mussett said he canceled the workshop late Thursday night because the management agreement with Edwards wasn't completed and he didn't feel prepared to discuss the subject without it.
But critics say the decision adds to a growing frustration with city officials for not holding any public meetings on the project that involves control of a prized piece of waterfront property.
"This is not a donation, it is a business deal," said Karl Nurse, president of the Council of Neighborhood Associations. "If the deal is so good, then the city ought to put its cards on the table and let everyone discuss it out in the sunshine where it belongs."
Mayor Rick Baker, who unveiled the plan last month, did not return telephone calls seeking comment Monday.
Council member John Bryan said he didn't know the workshop on the Mahaffey had been canceled until 1 p.m. Monday when other council members informed him during negotiations on police salaries at City Hall.
"I don't know what happened but nobody told me about it," he said. "If they canceled it on Thursday night, they had more than enough time to get the word out."
Council members Rene Flowers and Earnest Williams also said they didn't find out until Monday afternoon.
Bryan said he's been increasingly perturbed by the lack of information from the administration about the project. "This is really one of the best-kept secrets," he said. "I know the city staff is negotiating (with Edwards) but I don't know any of the outcomes."
The deal was first unveiled during a Sept. 20 council workshop. Edwards, the owner of Mortgage Investors Corp., would pay $10.35-million to help cover the $19.4-million cost of renovating the Mahaffey. In return, he would manage the facility for five years and keep all of the revenue from the theater and a new outdoor concert venue.
While $8-million would be nonrefundable, Edwards would forgive a $2.35-million no-interest loan if the city approved a second five-year term after the first one ends.
Mussett said the administration is waiting until the management agreement is finished before soliciting input from the council and the public.
The workshop has been rescheduled for Nov. 15, and a vote is unlikely before December.
"We want to make sure we have plenty of opportunity to hear from people," Mussett said. "We're not trying to jam this down anybody's throat."
