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New developers show interest in Pete's Pier

The attorney for the marina's owners says he's not sure of either developer's plans for the property.

By ELENA LESLEY
Published January 25, 2006

CRYSTAL RIVER - Two new developers are looking at the Pete's Pier property, and one may sign a contingent contract in the near future, said Mac McCarty, the attorney for the marina's owners.

NEHI Investments LLC's contract on the property expired Nov. 28. Though the official closing date was Jan. 11, NEHI's decision to withhold a second deposit on the land essentially ended the contract more than a month earlier, McCarty said.

"NEHI got a not great response from the city," McCarty said, referencing the company's plan to build a six-story, extended-stay resort on the property. "The contract is no longer in place."

McCarty said he wasn't sure what either new developer would do with the property.

"Going through several of these contracts is pretty normal," McCarty said. "I've told the owners we could go through four or five."

The City Council has considered trying to survey and buy the marina. But during Monday night's council meeting, Mayor Ron Kitchen came up with a new approach.

"We've been focusing on the asking price (of Pete's Pier), whether we can do something with it, if we can make money," Kitchen said. "If Pete's Pier is not available, but we see a need for a city marina, we should pursue that regardless."

Council member Susan Kirk suggested the council consider a vacant lot across from City Hall, known locally as "the Smiley property." She said she had recommended the city buy it back when she was on the Community Redevelopment Agency.

"We could build a new city hall and a marina on that property," said council member Roger Proffer, "and it would sure be a lot cheaper than $10-million."

NEHI reportedly was willing to pay $11.5-million for the marina.

But Proffer added that the water near the Smiley property may be too shallow, so dredging would be necessary. Council members instructed City Manager Phil Deaton to check with the Army Corps of Engineers about dredging, as well as look for other potential marina sites.

During the meeting's public input section, Rick Suggs, owner of Premier Construction Group Inc., suggested that the council rezone Pete's Pier from commercial to residential.

"Residential on Pete's Pier could easily create a $25-million tax base," he said.

Council members expressed interest in the idea.

"We're wishing, we're dreaming," council member John Kendall said regarding the city's previous interest in buying Pete's Pier. "But we've got to be more realistic."

In other council news:

Council members voted to create an ordinance changing the city's code enforcement process.

At the last council meeting, City Attorney Anthony Perrone said that the current code enforcement hearing official is also the city attorney for Inverness. The Florida Constitution prohibits dual office holding. The official also was not a resident of Crystal River, which does not coincide with state regulations unless a special ordinance is passed by the city. Such an ordinance was never created.

In addition, the city staff have complained that fines are not being efficiently collected. Council members instructed Perrone to create an ordinance for a staff-driven model of code enforcement with an appeals component and a hearing official.

Because of a procedural error made by the city attorney, the council will replace its previous ordinance for annexation of Nokomis Point with a new one marking the deadline for ballots as April 4. The ordinance will go through two public hearings.

[Last modified January 25, 2006, 00:55:16]