City Hall moving quickly to put in place a new operator at the Erie Basin Marina, with a new company to manage The Hatch restaurant. Brand-On Services was fired last year in a continuing dispute over whether or not the company paid the city as much as it was supposed to, with the city saying it's still owed $515,000. A decision was made to split the operation to a marina contract, awarded to Smith Boys, and a food service contract to affiliates of Acqua restaurant.
"We're looking for a world-class, preeminent location out there. We have the contract today which was approved by Council. We're looking forward for that to get started. We also sent out letters identifying to slip-holders that this would be coming so we can get those contracts out as quick as possible," Public Works Commissioner Steven Stepniak said.
The contract was sent to next Tuesday's meeting of the Finance Committee which is expected to pass it and send it along to a full Council meeting in two weeks for approval. Meanwhile, construction will continue on expanding The Hatch.
Councilman Richard Fontana says the agreement puts limits on prices for gasoline, with a 25-cent per gallon price limit over dealer cost.
There is a question about 66 of the boat slips which are now operated off floating docks belonging to Brand-On. The city expects to get ownership in a continuing arbitration.
The marina is expected to open May 1.
