The Anna Maria City Pier tenant is changing his tune.
And he’s setting his terms.
City Pier Restaurant owner Mario Schoenfelder previously told Anna Maria officials he had no intention of helping pay for rehabilitation of the city pier.
Now he’s offering to chip in.
On March 20, Schoenfelder wrote to the city stating he would not pay for the rehab work proposed by the city.
City hall received a second letter May 9 from Schoenfelder offering to pay up to $500,000 of the rehab cost if the city extends the lease 10 years.
Schoenfelder also is asking, if the pier is closed during the rehab, his lease be extended to compensate for the time lost.
Schoenfelder said in his letter, “In exchange for my offer, I am asking for a renewal of the lease for 10 more years plus the time of closure.” He wants two rent-free years then a lease payment of $12,000 a month for five years, finishing with $13,000 a month for the remainder of the lease.
Schoenfelder’s current lease with the city expires Dec. 15, 2020. He pays the city $10,080 a month.
The original lease was signed Dec. 16, 2000, for payments of $5,000 a month. The lease payment has increased by 10 percent at one- to three-year intervals.
Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said he’s considering the proposal, but first needs direction from the city commission.
The city is currently looking for funding sources, such as grants from the federal government and Manatee County to pay for the proposed rehab, which will extend the life of the pier 20-25 years.