The future of the Cherry Hill Community Center in no longer up in the air as the vote to lease the property to Jason Carver, owner of JBeez Watercraft passed with a vote of 11-2.

The community center has sat unused for several years, and the owner of JBeez Watercraft on Highway 56, Jason Carver, will lease the property for a possible restaurant and addition to his business. Carver’s offer was to sign a five year lease with three more renewable five year options up to 20 years. The rent for the first five years would be $500 per month and increase by $100 per month in the subsequent five year intervals ($600 per month in years 6-10, $700 per month in years 11-15, and $800 per month in years 16-20). Under the terms, Carver would 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. Both the county and Carver would carry liability insurance on the property.

Commissioners initially supported the lease during their regular monthly meeting on March 22, but they wanted to see the deal in writing first and voted have the county mayor direct the county attorney to prepare a lease for them to vote at the April meeting.

Then, on March 30, a special meeting was held to consider approval of the agreement, but the commission could not agree on the terms or the length of the lease. Some believed the commission was acting too quickly, while others thought the 20 year option was too long.

At a public works committee meeting, held on Wednesday, April 21, the board then recommended to offer a five year lease to Carver for $500 per month, including terms that he be responsible for all upkeep, maintenance, repairs, and improvements, and that at the end of the five year period Carver be given the first opportunity to purchase the property at fair market value if it is legal for the county to sell it without taking bids.

The recommendation was set to move forward, but at a workshop on Thursday, April 22, County Attorney Hilton Conger advised that the recommendation could not move forward because the county could not legally offer to sell the property to the lease holder, stating that the property would have to be advertised and be offered through sealed bids.

Mr. Carver spoke to the commission during Monday night’s meeting explaining his intent to use the building as a training center for employee of Canoe the Caney this year, then begin renovations after the summer season.

He stated as with his current business, he wanted to do thing right with the building and projected spending in the range of $50,000 to do so.

The vote passed 11-2 with Jerry Adcock and Bruce Malone voting no.