Margate Mayor Mike Collins was asked to explain the city’s current lease with Scott’s Dock on Amherst Ave.
During the May 1 meeting, Collins discussed options for Scott’s Dock and their lease of city-owned land just off Amherst and Benson.
Scott’s Dock has been leasing the land to store boats for the past 70 years. The current two-year lease will expire May 30, 2025.
Listen to audio from May 1, 2025 Margate mtg:
Scott’s Dock is the only marina left. Solicitor Abbott recalled a time when there were six public marinas in Margate.
Abbott researching if there’s a legal way, within state guidelines, for Margate to reach an agreement with Scott’s Dock without going through a formal bid process.
Key question: Does Scott’s Dock serve the public good? Is it an essential public service?
Margate Mayor Mike Collins: Original plan for Public Works building was once it was built, it would free up the location that currently has our carpenter and electrician shop, located directly across from lot leased to Scotts Dock. That would give city additional 30 to 40 public parking spaces in the Marina district. That’s a lot we already own. Cost to improve that property would be minimal. All part of a bigger plan.
Strong arguments for continuing the lease.
- Public access to bay.
- Employs local youth.
- Educational facility for wildlife.
- Turtle rehabilitation center.
- Kayak launch point.
Must Margate put property out to bid? Abbott thinks a bid should’ve gone out in the past.
City lot in question considered critical to Scott’s Dock’s operation.
Developers always circling this prime property.
From Philly.com: 2008 Court Actions. Back then, Robin Scott claimed there was an effort by the City of Margate to destroy her business in order to make way for more waterfront homes. They allegedly wanted to cut off water access for the average blue-collar worker or day-tripper.
“They’ve been trying to get Robin (Scott’s Dock) for years,” Atty Herman said. “She’s sitting on some very lucrative property.”
Solicitor says land should have been put out to bid in the past.
I believe he was the Solicitor in the past!
Sorry, you’re not telling the ‘Truth”. Abbott said he researching if there’s a legal way, within state guidelines, for Margate to reach an agreement with Scott’s Dock without going through a formal bid process.
What you’re citing is the article from 2008 on this topic inserted into this article, because it fits with the party line and agenda. Reading is FUNdamental.
listen to the audio
I did. He still intends to work something out with them if he can.
Margate benefits by having a boat rental location and a fishing party boat stop. Unless the business shows reduced clientele, I would like to see the site remain as is
Mike H
Looks like Margate is planning another underhanded deal to line their pockets even more. They should just renew the lease and let that business continue on.
Its the only bait shop and boat rental in the area, been there for 70 years and they cater to the customers they have.
You see what Margate has done to the water front from Lamberti’s to Adams avenue. They have ruined the area, blocked all views of the bay.
You clearly can’t or won’t read what was actually said: “Abbott researching if there’s a legal way, within state guidelines, for Margate to reach an agreement with Scott’s Dock without going through a formal bid process”
You managed to turn that into doing an underhanded deal and lining their pockets. Try reading and not making stuff up.
Just renew lease. You DO NOT need State guidelines involved. IT’S BEEN THERE FOR 70 YEARS.
STATE GUIDELINES SHOULD HAVE BEEN MET YEARS AGO.
RENEW IT. Let’s all go fishing. THAT’S WHAT THE BACK BAY IS FOR.
Leave it alone! Margate has changed enough unfortunately
I would urge Margate commissioners to renew Scott’s dock lease and make it a much longer lease this time.
The community wants and needs this small business to survive. They contribute so much to the community. Not everything is about the all-mighty dollar. If it was, why did they spend 3 million on a contaminated gas station to build a parking lot?
The parking lot on the other end of town never worked out. We also do NOT need any more mega mansions/building monstrosities along that strip!
With all the trucks and take out people now parking in the bike lanes, it’s hardly usable for the people who want to enjoy the bay.
Scott’s Dock is a icon like Lucy the Elephant. The last marina left that offers the community the opportunity to enjoy the back bay.
Over 60 years Scotts Dock has employed many youth, educated people about wildlife, animal rescue…
The only place that supports the locals and vacationers with family entertainment and lasting memories of family fun of fishing and crabbing, boat rides ,kayaks.
This dock and marina offers so much to Margate city and should be supported by city council and all of our elected representatives.
Memories are the only thing you have, when loved ones are no longer here.
This place has and will continue to make them…Hopefully all will keep this in consideration, and let them continue being one of the best assets to Margate !!👍👍👍
Agreed. My family coming from Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Long Island thoroughly enjoyed the tours and helping turtles ready for return to the wetlands be introduced. One of our group is an avid and very experienced Long Island fisherman and praised the docks as unique and very enjoyable. The business should continue as it has in the past for future generations to experience and enjoy.
Please 🙏 renew his lease( no bidding)
It’s not about bid or not bid. Do you trust these guys, especially Solicitor Abbott, to really protect this last of a kind business that so many enjoy? I don’t think so! They got him boxed in and will squeeze him.
Read that proposed lease, especially the miscellaneous clauses. I’m sure Abbott will propose clauses which will give his cronies some type of future control and leverage on the marina property. He’s got much bigger plans for the marina high rise district (formerly known as Back Bay Area).
Collins and Horn would like to have a Miami Beach high rise type of experience in Margate (formerly known as “a residential community by the shore”).
Just wait for the new Margate Master Plan. I hope this great proprietor (Scott’s Dock) can negotiate a 50 year lease.
Maybe former Margate Mayor Vaughn Reale will help him secure a lease like he gave his friends.
But please, read the Abbott proposed fine print in the lease! He’s not your friend.
Please renew there lease The best place in Margate for families Such a Margate icon such great people that do so much for the community please please please.Grew up in Margate and don’t even recognize it anymore.
Give them a 100 year lease and leave that family alone. They’ve been here forever.
Margate, like Ventnor, seems to have no City Plan. The only plan I see is – Tear Down and Build Bigger, and not always in the best way for the community. The operative word there is “Community”.
You’re boxing in the bay view. You’re taking away what people come to the shore to see. OCEAN, BAY.
They have plenty of High Rises and Big Houses where they come from. That’s why they come to the Beach, To SEE IT!
And if one more Grand Lady is torn down on the Margate Parkway, I will have a fit. And if one more monstrosity goes up in the middle of a quiet Ventnor street, I will cry.
Both cities are running after the almighty buck and have lost sight of the wonderful beautiful shore communities we are.
I’m 81. Some areas I don’t recognize anymore, and I live here year round!
Thank you for letting a ‘Born Here’ rant.
Georgieanne Scott Ross – ACHS ’61.
P.S. And NO, I’m no relation to Scott’s Dock … but for Gosh Sake … leave the guy alone … let something from the beautiful bay community LIVE!
Yes, what is being done on AMHERST AVE is a disgrace. Lamberti is leading the way for more high buildings. View! What views? You soon will have to go to these restaurants for a view of the bay. The old Margate is long gone. 🤦🏻♀️