Eviction notice sent to Lakeport Landing Marina

Lakeport Landing Marina is being evicted from this city-owned building at 21 Elm St., which serves as the boat dealer's showroom. The building was sold to a competing boat dealer, Irwin Marine. (Adam Drapcho/Laconia Daily Sun)

By RICK GREEN, LACONIA DAILY SUN

LACONIA — The city has sent an eviction notice to Lakeport Landing Marina, saying it must vacate its boat showroom at 21 Elm St.

The city-owned building is being sold to Irwin Marine, a competing boat dealer, for $500,000.

Lakeport Landing purchased the old Lakeport Fire Station last August from the city for $385,000. Its plans for a new show room included an L-shaped glass-enclosed display space wrapping around the front and west side of the fire station, but construction never got underway.

Erica Blizzard, owner of Lakeport Landing, did not return calls for comment on why the company has not built the new showroom or left its old one. Bill Irwin, of Irwin Marine, declined comment.

Lakeport Landing has been using the property at 21 Elm St. under a long-term lease. Irwin was the winning bidder to buy the land when the lease expired.

When Irwin's bid won, Blizzard filed a lawsuit contending the city had no right to sell the property to Irwin Marine.

The suit claimed the City Council had previously promised Lakeport Landing first right of refusal to buy the property, but city officials said this was not the case and that there was no evidence to show the council had made such a promise.

Irwin Marine became an intervenor in that lawsuit.

The parties reached a tentative agreement to settle the lawsuit subject to certain city actions. The city subsequently accepted bids on the fire station property, and Lakeport Landing had the winning bid.

Meanwhile, until Lakeport Landing vacates the building at 21 Elm Street, Irwin Marine won't close the deal to purchase it from the city for $500,000.

City Manager Scott Myers said proceeds from the sale were to go into a city reserve account and weren't earmarked for a specific purpose. The lease for Lakeport Landing expires on April 1.

Myers said Lakeport Landing received a building permit in November for the showroom project.

He said the city has met all its obligations under the tentative agreement to the lawsuit and noted that Lakeport Landing hasn't sought further extension of the lease.

Mayor Ed Engler said “the silence is frustrating. You'd think they or their attorney would be in contact to work this out, but they haven't.”

Artist rendering of a boat showroom planned by Lakeport Landing Marina. The project calls for construction of a glass enclosure around a portion of the old Lakeport Fire Station. (Courtesy graphic)

Old Lakeport Fire Station, which was purchased last year by Lakeport Landing Marina, is to eventually be the site of the company's boat showroom. There are no signs of construction yet. In background is its present showroom. (Adam Drapcho/Laconia Daily Sun)