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City notifies Regal Marina of lease default, termination

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By Correne Martin

The Prairie du Chien Common Council voted Tuesday night to serve notice on Regal Marine Group of a default of its lease and termination of the lease to operate Regal Marina in the city. The city attorney was directed by the council to serve the papers and begin necessary action to secure an eviction of the municipally-owned marina. The Regal family has leased the property for its business since 1963.

For the 2016 boating season, the Regals were under a one-year lease, from Nov. 1, 2015 through Oct. 31, 2016. This was agreed to by both parties, despite the Regals’ request for a 20-year lease, or at least a lease that would be longer in term than just one year. The Regals proposed a long-term lease because they anticipated spending tens of thousands of dollars to bring marina issues up to code. City Attorney Lara Czajkowski Higgins said the city had safety concerns about the marina and didn’t want to sign a long-term lease for fear of getting into litigation.

As the Courier Press reported in May, electricity to the docks at the marina was disconnected at the start of the season, after state inspectors uncovered several state electrical code violations.

The council was addressed by concerned citizens in June, one of whom labeled the city’s interactions with the Regals “a personal attack...on a business that’s been here as long as the Regals.” The city maintained that repairs needed to be completed in order for the electricity to be turned back on.”

After a June council meeting, the city offered a lease to Regal Marine Group, calling for a five-year term, with three, five-year options, renewable by both parties.

Though Regal Marina received an extension from the state until mid-October to comply with state orders, it appears that has not happened, according to the city. However, last week, the Regals received another extension through Jan. 1, 2017.

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