Why the Marina Contract Is a Bad Deal for Lake Park

The Town of Lake Park signed a contract with Forest Development to redevelop our public marina. On the surface, it sounds like investment in our town — but when you look at the details,

it’s a terrible deal for residents.

1. Almost No Money for the Town for the Marina

Forest Development pays $300,000 one time and $75,000 per year for 10 years.
After that, for the remaining 89 years of the 99-year lease, there are no guaranteed payments and NO RENT
In total, the Town only gets $1 million 50K guaranteed over 99 years. — far below the real value of our waterfront.

2. Developers Get Long-Term Control

Forest Development gets a 99-year lease on about 12 acres of public waterfront land.
That means future residents and leaders will be stuck with this decision for nearly a century.

3. No Secured Financing

Forest Development does not have financing in place. They only promise to try to get it later.
The Town is handing over control before the developer even proves they can pay for the project.

4. Missed Deadlines and Delays

Forest has already failed to meet important timeline requirements in the contract.
This raises doubts about whether they can actually deliver on their promises.

5. No Public Parking or Public Spaces

The developer’s plans for the marina do not include public parking or public gathering spaces.
That means residents and families will have little to no access to enjoy the marina.
For the next 99 years, our own community could be shut out of the waterfront we already own.

🚨 Risks to Lake Park Residents

If this deal goes forward, residents face serious risks:

Broken Promises: If the project stalls, the marina could sit half-finished or mismanaged.
Lost Public Control: Once the lease is signed, the Town loses meaningful control for 99 years.
Financial Loss: The low payments mean we lose millions of dollars compared to a fair-market deal.
Negative Legacy: Future generations will inherit a deal that cannot easily be undone.
No Resident Access: Without parking or public spaces, residents will not be able to use or enjoy the marina.
Legal Challenges: The project still faces state-level approvals and potential lawsuits, which could tie up the marina for years.

Bottom Line

This contract favors the developer, not the residents. Lake Park is giving away its most valuable public asset — the marina — for pennies on the dollar, while taking on all the risk.

👉 Our marina should benefit our community, not outside developers.

LAKE PARK SACE, INC.

Empowering Civic Engagement in Lake Park, FL

The LAKE PARK SOCIETY FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF CIVIL ENGAGEMENT, INC. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to contributing to the public processes and discussions of real issues affecting the citizens of Lake Park, FL. We aim to educate residents on civic practices such as voting, volunteering, jury service, and impacting local government in an inclusive and integrative manner. Our mission is to foster civility and decorum as we work together to improve our community.

LAKE PARK SOCIETY FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF CIVIC
ENGAGEMENT, INC.

Empowering Communities for Change

Empowering Communities for Change

Why the Marina Contract Is a Bad Deal for Lake Park

LAKE PARK SACE, INC.

Empowering Civic Engagement in Lake Park, FL

Empowering Communities for Change

Empowering Communities for Change

Why the Marina Contract Is a Bad Deal for Lake Park

LAKE PARK SACE, INC.

Empowering Civic Engagement in Lake Park, FL

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