Dana Wharf Sportfishing Gets Another 10 Years on Lease

Orange County supervisors moved today to give peace of mind to operators of businesses in Dana Point Harbor, who are worried about how a major revitalization plan could affect customer traffic.

The supervisors voted to have Dana Wharf Sportfishing make improvements within the next 18 months while also giving the tenant the option to extend its current lease for another 10 years, through 2032.

Dana Wharf Sportfishing offers whale watching trips, boat chartering, transportation to Catalina and sport fishing excursions, and sells fishing products and accessories.

Unlike 19 other tenants in the harbor, Dana Wharf Sportfishing is housed in a building that will not be razed as part of the revitalization effort, but nearly $150,000 in improvements will be required, officials say.

The other businesses, which include restaurants and shops, may now negotiate new leases for the improved retail spaces and will be given rent relief during construction. They also have an option to extend their leases five more years, to June 30, 2020. There are 18 businesses in the Mariners Village and one tenant on Dana Wharf that will be affected.

“This gives them some security that there’s a future there and they won’t be wiped out during construction,” board Chairman Shawn Nelson said after today’s meeting. “It was really to work with (the businesses) and let them know we’re committed to helping them survive the construction period.”

Supervisor Patricia Bates, whose district includes the businesses, said county officials have been working with the merchants for “many, many months.” The revitalization plan, she said, dates back about 15 years.

It is unclear when construction will begin, Bates said.

--City News Service

PHOTO Credit D Ramey Logan courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

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