Like many other businesses, owners Neil Trimble and Al Collins of Outcast Charters have found themselves out of work.
Not because of the oil spill situation, but because their home, located on state-owned property along the Perdido Pass where they have operated for years was no longer available.
As of Tuesday night, however, Outcast will be back in business, running their charter boat business from a location almost directly across the pass, using several unused boat slips at the Caribe Resort.
For several weeks, Trimble and Collins, along with Caribe developer Larry Wireman, who owns the boat slips, and city staff have been working to come to an agreement.
Councilwoman Joni Blalock expressed some concern regarding the proposal, including fencing that would have to be installed between the Caribe and the small office and dock store that Outcast would operate from, situated in a vacant lot next to the resort.
“I need a little more detail about the fencing that will be put up,” Blalock said. “It seems to be an issue with some of the residents who have called.”
Wireman assured the council that a solid fence would be installed that would protect residents at the Caribe of trespassers.
“I really don’t think that we are going to have an issue at Caribe,” Wireman said. “I really think most of the people at Caribe are going to love this marina because a lot of people will want to come and use the boats and the jet skis. It’s going to be an enhancement to our project, it’s going to be an enhancement to the restaurant that’s there, and it’s going to bring in more tax dollars.”
Blalock then suggested that in order for her to support that project, the slips being used by Outcast would have to revert back to residential use once construction of a fifth condo tower began, which is part of Wireman’s long-term project.
“I don’t have any problem with that if you will let me come to you at that time and make my case that this is an enhancement for the property,” said Wireman. “Hey, we have a restaurant there. So I don’t have a problem as long as you won’t prevent me from coming and asking you about it.”
Outcast Charters offers fishing charters, dolphin cruises, personal watercraft rentals such as jet skis, and parasailing. No fueling will be allowed at their new location, so fuel permits were not part of the ordinance.
