Business owners leasing space at the city-owned Herald Court building pleaded with Punta Gorda City Council members Nov. 6 to hasten repairs from flooding caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton so that they can return to their units.
Although their original leases stipulate tenants responsible for repairs inside their units, including drywall and flooring, council members Bill Dryburgh and Melissa Lockhart expressed outrage at an Oct. 16 meeting that the city wasn’t picking up the repair costs. Later, the city agreed to rewrite the leases and pay for the interior flood damage.
There are eight businesses in the downtown building that also houses a multilevel public parking garage.
Dryburgh said he took photos of missing hardware for the flood panels the city placed over the businesses prior to the hurricanes. He said they were not properly secured to prevent the inundation.
Patricia Haley-Herndon, who owns Punta Gorda Chocolate & Wine, Punta Gorda Coffee & Tea and Haley Handcrafted Chocolates, said most of the businesses need to order equipment but are unable to do so because it is unknown when their units will be finished. Sellers need to know when delivery can be made, and that information can’t be provided, she said.
In addition, tourist season is when most, if not all, of the businesses make the most money. Herndon said that if she cannot return to her units by December, it will be devastating.
In October, Herndon told council members her losses totaled more than $100,000. “We need to move this along. Our community is supporting us,” she said.
Council said Morgan Stanley Wealth Management has yet to remove its office equipment and is holding up the process.
Wendy Tirado, owner of Dream Salon & Spa, said, “We cannot miss our seasonal months,” and urged Council to reach out to Morgan Stanley.
A message left for the firm’s branch manager was not returned.
Tirado said her team is in the salon cleaning every day, while the city has given Morgan Stanley “all this time to remove desks.”
Tirado also asked Council whether it could grant a rent abatement being that she recently received a rent invoice to pay for space she cannot use.
For the time being, Tirado is renting at another salon and is trying to keep her team together. She doesn’t know if she’ll have a team if they can’t return to Herald Court soon.
Leonard Viggiano is one of the owners of The Refindery Market at Herald Court. He was critical of the city and asked why it hasn’t yet sought quotes for repairs. “You haven’t even started the process. Let’s get on board and get some estimates,” he said.
