Monterey wharf leases get another look

The city of Monterey is re-opening the discussion on lease agreements for Old Fisherman’s Wharf after businesses and residents called for change.

Tuesday night city leaders decided to review some changes to the way leases on the wharf are manages. Rather than making a decision Tuesday, they tabled it until the first meeting in November.

Old Fisherman’s Wharf is an icon for the city of Monterey. That’s something that resonates will with Sam Balesteri, the owner of Balesteri’s on the Wharf.

“The people that retain business down here, they have their heart and soul into it,” Balesteri said.

But Balesteri said he doesn’t like the direction the city is headed after re-opening the discussion on how wharf leases are managed.

“The people on the fisherman’s wharf have made it what it is, and in some respects are being penalized for it,” Balesteri said.

The new proposal includes several changes, including giving current tenants priority on new leases and removing strict term limits.

“Based on the amount of improvements the tenant likes to do on the premise, that any term of length will be possible,” said assistant city manager Hans Uslar.

The city said it’s asking businesses to pay fair market rates, which would be up to 4 or 5 times more than what some are paying now. But in turn, the city plans to take over maintaining the wharf.

“Business leases then allow the city to take ownership of the responsibility for the pilings and the building,” Uslar said. “We want to keep the unique character of the wharf, we want to this eclectic mix of stores there because we very much so value our wharf just like everybody else.”

Balesteri, who’s been there for more than 50 years, said he just wants things to work out.

“I honestly feel that, I hope this is resolved, and something good comes from it,” Balesteri said.

City leaders said they intend to make a decision on those proposed changes at the November meeting.

PREVIOUS STORY: The Monterey City Council will take another look at proposed changes to leases on Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf Tuesday night.

City staff has been working to refine some areas of the proposed agreements, specifically the length of leases and consideration for longtime wharf tenants.

KION’s Steve Fundaro is covering the story for us. Look for his live report tonight at 5 p.m. on KION News Channel 5/46.