April 27, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
After a month of indecision on the terms of an agreement, the County Commission Monday night voted 11 to 2 to lease the Cherry Hill Community Center for five years with three additional five year renewable options up to twenty years. That is basically what the tenant, Jason Carver, owner of JBeez Water Craft (dba) Canoe the Caney, had requested in the first place.
If Carver exercises all his lease options, the county stands to gain $156,000 over twenty years without any costs for maintenance of the facility. The county currently gets no revenue from the property and bears all expense of upkeep.
Those voting in favor were Commissioners Shaee Flatt, Julie Young, Sabrina Farler, Myron Rhody, Jenny Trapp, Janice Fish Stewart, Dr. Scott Little, Anita Puckett, Matt Adcock, Jeff Barnes, and Beth Pafford.
Commissioners Bruce Malone and Jerry Adcock voted no.
Under the terms, Carver will lease the Cherry Hill Community Center for five years and pay the county $500 per month ($6,000 per year). After the first five years, Carver may lease the facility for an additional five years at $600 per month ($7,200 per year). If he chooses, Carver can go another five years for $700 per month ($8,400 per year), and in the final five year term, Carver may lease the property for $800 per month ($9,600 per year).
Carver, who plans to renovate the building, will also be responsible for maintaining the HVAC, roof and septic system and all general upkeep of the building and grounds including walls, floors, ceilings, parking areas, driveways, sidewalk, landscaping, etc. and carry liability insurance on the property.
During Monday night’s meeting and prior to the vote, Carver addressed the county commission asking for a lease with renewable options up to twenty years saying he wanted to recoup his investment in the property which could be up to $50,000 over time. In return, Carver said the county will be getting tax revenue in addition to the lease payments from the property.
“We are excited about the opportunity to bring something to DeKalb County that will generate tax revenue and something that everyone here can benefit from and enjoy but we (tenant) will have to make capital investments in the property. We are looking at an HVAC system that has to be completely replaced. Its in very poor condition. I have had an HVAC contractor come in and look at it. We are looking at probably about $8,000 to replace that. We are also looking at an extensive amount of plumbing that will have to be reworked and just a lot of costs that go into the property. When we get into something like this and we put in a lot of money we are looking for an opportunity to recover our costs. We want to come in and do it right. We want to bring in tax money and impress the community. We want to bring something of value with that community center. I feel like we need a little bit more time and if you would give us the honor of considering that (lease with three renewable options) I think it would help us a lot to invest the kind of money to do this right and bring something of value to the community. We were looking at a five year term with three renewable terms to give us twenty years,” said Carver.
Because of the calendar, Carver said his initial plans for this year will look different from his longer range vision.
“If we come into this property we are right at the beginning of our season right now so we don’t have time to really develop it at this point. We will use it for some meeting spaces, as a training facility for staff or something like that this season. Its probably next year before we could really put together any working plans for it. We’re thinking we’ll eventually bring in some food service and maybe some barbeque but whatever we do you will love it because we will do it right. It will be something the community will benefit from and you will be proud of it,” said Carver.
Commissioner Jerry Adcock voted against the deal saying a potential twenty year lease was too long and ties the county’s hands should there someday be a prospective buyer for the property.
“Some of the commissioners are concerned that this lease gives you (Carver) all the options and does not give the county any options. You get all the sugar and candy and we get to sit and watch you eat if you go past ten years. A business may want to buy that piece of land. I really feel the three options without giving us anything is too much. I could go (support) ten years but I think maybe sometime between now and ten years all of us need to get together and work out terms for the next five years even ten years down the line”, said Adcock.
Commissioner Bruce Malone also opposed the lease saying he needed more time to study it. Malone also asked for the tenant to provide a business plan for the property.
“I would like to see something in writing from him on what kind of commitment he is willing to put into it financially. Its just good business,” said Malone.
Commissioner Shaee Flatt said he thought the deal with Carver would be good for the county.
“If he is going to put that type of capital in it he will make it much more valuable than the county would and is currently therefore I see it as advantageous to the county to pursue this option,” said Flatt.
Commissioner Little moved that the commission approve the lease as presented with renewable extension options up to twenty years. Commissioner Rhody offered a second to the motion. It was adopted 11 to 2.
The lease takes effect May 1, 2021.