Rybovich’s ongoing quest to lease land from the city of Riviera Beach, up the coast from its existing facility in Florida, has taken an interesting turn.
The plan, for Rybovich to establish another megayacht-refit yard, has been undergoing review for some time. At a meeting last week, Rybovich informed town council members that it would be willing to make concessions and generate stimulus programs to make the proposal come to fruition. Rybovich has offered to pay more rent in exchange for a smaller revenue share, create a program to jumpstart yacht-repair-related businesses, and help create a community boating program to improve residents’ access to the water.
Specifically, according to The Palm Beach Post, Rybovich would pay double the amount of rent initially outlined or 3.25 of gross revenue, whichever is greater, beginning with the sixth year of the 25-year lease. In addition, 0.5 percent of all revenue — instead of 0.5 percent of revenue exceeding $10 million, as originally proposed — would be earmarked for a jobs program or community boating program. It would provide dockage and maintenance space for the latter as well. Finally, the newspaper states, Rybovich has offered to help residents start businesses related to the yachting industry, particularly Rybovich’s refit focus.
City council members are expected to meet tonight with Rybovich personnel to review the new proposals.
There’s still no word about the legal obstacles the plan faces, however. As previously reported here, when Rybovich’s expansion plans were revealed publicly, the biggest issue was whether the city of Riviera Beach could legally lease submerged lands at the marina. The state of Florida had set them aside for municipal park and recreational usage, and current laws do not include exceptions for leases.
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