Alki Kayak Tours owner Greg Whittaker learned in early October that Marination Ma Kai intends to end his business’s subcontract at Seacrest Park in West Seattle following its concession renewal with the city.
Whittaker, who has operated the kayak rental and water tour business at the location at 1600 Harbor Ave. SW since 2005, stated that losing the site will likely force his company into bankruptcy and dissolution. He stated that Marination partnered with a competing vendor for the boatyard space without holding a competitive bidding process or informing his business beforehand.
Under the City of Seattle Shoreline Master Program, water-dependent businesses receive priority, and Whittaker emphasized that his sea kayaking operation cannot function elsewhere in West Seattle.
In response to a request for comment, Marination Ma Kai owners Kamala Saxton and Roz Edison stated that proper protocol requires Seattle Parks and Recreation to acknowledge a signed Letter of Intent before disclosing the new partner. Saxton and Edison noted that they passed Whittaker’s contact information to the incoming partner in case they wish to purchase his equipment, adding that they want to make the transition as smooth as possible. “We want nothing more than to make this as smooth a transition as possible and understand that these types of transitions are difficult in nature,” they said.
Seattle Parks and Recreation rules dictate that master concession agreements prohibit subletting without prior written approval from the Superintendent, though new master operators are under no legal obligation to retain existing subtenants unless mandated in the city’s request for proposals. WestsideSeattle contacted Seattle Parks and Recreation to ask if the sublease decision rests solely with Marination, if a bidding process is required, if the matter will be discussed at the upcoming board meeting, and if a variance is needed, but the department has not yet responded.…