DEPARTMENT: Center City Operations & Development Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: John Jacks
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 1
SUBJECT:
Market Square Lease Assignment
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes an amendment to the Farmers Market lease agreement for Earth to Market, authorizing the assignment of the lease agreement to Omar Dominguez dba House of Mexico Imports.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of San Antonio owns and manages Market Square, a unique and historic public market place that plays a vital role in the life, culture and economy of San Antonio. Market Square, with a retail history dating back to the nineteenth century, provides a unique and authentic Mexican Market experience, offering retail sales, holiday celebrations, and year round entertainment. There are 56 businesses in the Farmers Market, 33 in El Mercado and 14 in Market Square Plaza, ranging from cafes to shops specializing in local, regional and Latin American products.
On June 23, 2011, City Council passed Ordinance No. 2011-06-23-0571, which authorized extensions to all Farmers Market and El Mercado leases until June 30, 2014. The ordinance also provided the City the option to renew all the Farmers Market and El Mercado leases for an additional three-year period until June 30, 2017 and a subsequent two-year period until June 30, 2019. The City has exercised its first option to extend the Farmers Market and El Mercado agreements until June 30, 2017.
Robert Santiago dba Earth to Market has operated a store in Farmers Market since 2001, selling Mexican imports and regional products. Mr. Dominguez comes from a family that has operated a Mexican imports store in El Mercado since 2008. The Municipal Code provides authority for the City to assign leases when businesses are sold and establish an assignment fee of $1,500.00.
This proposed ordinance will authorize an amendment to the lease agreement with Earth to Market, effectively assigning the lease ...
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