Vero's 'mission to monetize' causes consternation, unintended victims | Laurence Reisman

Orchid Island Brewery’s Alden Bing is an entrepreneurial, 30-something Vero Beach native and new father. He’s got a day job, but he's also trying to build a business that honors its namesake citrus and the pioneer spirit that built it.

Bing opened Indian River County’s first brewery in a 400-square-foot bay on Ocean Drive, then opened a place to serve the beer.

He pondered moving the family-oriented microbrew operation to the city’s money-losing Riverhouse in MacWilliam Park, keeping the charm amid oaks along the Indian River Lagoon. The business might have served non-alcoholic refreshments, food and bait to other users of the park. 

Instead, the concept became a political lightning rod in a city divided by some people who hope to see city assets used more and generate income, and those who like the status quo and lack of commercialization of city property.

That was evident Thursday afternoon at the Vero Beach Recreation Commission. Commissioners, after listening to numerous speakers pan, some unfairly, the microbrewery concept, voted to recommend to City Council Tuesday it not commercialize city parks.

The issue may be moot. Thursday evening Bing texted me — he would pass on the Riverhouse. It’s too low and could be susceptible to flooding during hurricanes, he said.

Bing’s decision could re-open the Riverhouse to rentals for weddings, meetings, parties and other community gatherings into next year. After council OK'd the conceptual idea for the microbrewery, Recreation Director Rob Slezak stopped booking events after Dec. 18, 2018.

Slezak said the Riverhouse cost the city about $8,000 in 2016 despite 206 rentals. The loss was greater in 2017 when it was shuttered in the wake of damage from Hurricane Irma. Slezak, however, is confident he can raise rates enough this year — thanks to renovations unveiled at the re-opening on July 1 — so the city can make money on the facility.

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But none of this will stop what has become the No. 1 issue in the city as we head toward the November election: The march to privatize city-owned property.

Two camps seem to be forming, including the status quo side that railed Thursday against the council majority of Harry Howle, Lange Sykes and Val Zudans. The three voted to have the city negotiate with Orchid Island.

They had precedent, given the city has leased a restaurant in Jaycee Park for decades. But critics Thursday said the situation was different. Renting Riverhouse would keep others from having a long-standing, affordable rental option.

Both buildings were built before residents changed the city charter to keep council from discarding certain city property without a referendum. Protected properties include the waterfront sites of the old power plant and sewer plant at 17th Street and Indian River Boulevard.   

Voters overwhelmingly OK’d a referendum in 2013 to let the city lease the former power plant to Florida Power & Light Co.

MORE: 'Club creep' jeopardizes future in Vero's riverfront parks

Zudans wants to take a different tack. On Tuesday, Zudans — who has proposed leasing the city marina, Leisure Square (to a nonprofit) and the Riverhouse — plans to ask council to put on the November ballot a referendum asking voters to give council permission to sell or lease the 17th Street properties without a community vote.

Zudans was candid, saying he wants to make what happens at the intersection the top issue in the November election. 

“I want the people who are running to have to answer the question of what do you want at the Three Corners," Zudans said, noting he thinks development there should occur sooner rather than later. "The people say they want us to do something there."

He's right. 

I'm just not sure he's going about it the right way.

Like the Leisure Square and Riverhouse ideas, Zudans provides no backup in the council agenda for anyone to digest before Tuesday. It fuels distrust among some city residents who prefer researching and discussing specific proposals openly before council votes.  

This is unfortunate. Zudans' previous ideas, if communicated openly and effectively after proper vetting, might have flown.

Meanwhile, the seemingly sweeping approach to what council member Laura Moss calls a “mission to monetize” is dangerous.

Reviewing city operations so they can operate better is wise. But considering leasing or selling property without vetted plans is risky.

I never saw enough financial analysis to determine whether the city’s pending sale of the downtown post office to developer Michael Rechter is the right move.

In recently offering property in MacWilliam and Riverside parks to Orchid Island and the Youth Sailing Foundation, which rejected the proposal, council failed to heed its recently passed comprehensive plan. The plan directs council to create a master plan for the parks.

Council has no plan for the old Dodgertown Golf Club, but is listening to pitches from a developer — that despite a prior council’s vote to buy the land for open space on the city’s neglected west side.

Now we're talking about 17th Street and Indian River Boulevard? The city has no plan, but residents would give council permission to sell the property if an offer comes along?

History tells me not to trust five council members when it comes to buying or selling key chunks of property where development will affect the quality of life Vero Beach residents have worked generations to build.

Want to develop the Three Corners? Entertain developer proposals after reviewing what residents say they want. Then let the people vote.

I'd love to see Orchid Island Brewery involved in the Three Corners discussion.

This column reflects the opinion of Laurence Reisman. Contact him via email at larry.reisman@tcpalm.com, phone at 772-978-2223, Facebook.com/larryreisman or Twitter @LaurenceReisman.