Hometown News and Views

But commissioners want parking issues addressed

By Judy Wilson

Pompano Beach – City commissioners moved ahead with agreements that will develop the 6.5-acre fishing pier parcel into a restaurant/retail center despite fears that parking will be at a premium.

Leases on the parcel located between A1A and the ocean and Atlantic Blvd., and NE 5 Street would guarantee the city revenues of $372,000 annually plus a percentage of gross revenues over $4.8 million. The leases are for 50 years with increases of 7.5 percent after the sixth year.

City Commissioner Barry Dockswell, whose district includes the beach said, “I agree with some citizens . . . I’d like for the city to have better financial terms . . . but we have reached a point where the delay in time is more important than a few more dollars. “We are 18 months to this point. I don’t see the imperfections worth a rebid.”

The process started in July 2011 with the developer Pompano Pier Associates LLC chosen in April of last year.  They have six years to develop seven separate parcels within the acreage.

Commissioner Charlotte Burrie, who along with Vice Mayor George Brummer voted against the agreements, said her constituents are not in favor of building a hotel on the site and she wants clarity on whether or not a parking garage will be included in development plans.

“People who don’t live in the CRA don’t want you to put a hotel where there is no open space. I would like to see this project go forward without the hotel and with some kind of guarantee for parking,”  Burrie said. She also said people want assurances that a library branch will be located in the area.

Community Redevelopment Agency Co- Director Kim Briesemeister said building a hotel on the pier property would require a zoning amendment and land use change and will generate “plenty of discussion.” She said great attention is being paid to parking in the area and that there will be more discussion on the library in February.

Commissioner Rex Hardin also said he was in “angst” over the parking situation around the pier. “Why can’t we just say we will do it [build a parking garage]?” he asked.

City Manager Dennis Beach said a study has proven there is enough surface parking presently and that a 300-space parking garage would not be financially feasible. However, he told the commission, “the city has the ability to address this.”

Dockswell also said parking is at a premium. “The area is already a magnet without the restaurants and retail,” he said. “We need to get out in front of the parking issues.”

Breisemiester said either the city or the CRA could guarantee payment of a parking garage.”You have the ability to build. It is how you are going to finance it,” she told the commission.

[Judy Vik contributed research to this article.]