On Sunday during our interview with Town Manager Andy Hyatt both he and Mayor Dan Allers announced that the town is looking into whether or not they are legally able to knock down Terry Persaud’s Fresh Catch building.
Persaud was given notice last week that the town was days away from demolishing the former Junkanoo/Fresh Catch building on Ester Boulevard that he hasn’t touched since Hurricane Ian in September of 2022. Not only has it not been touched, the property is not fenced off and the building can be easily accessed making it an unsafe structure to the public.
Once Persaud was notified the town would be demolishing the building and applying the cost to his next tax bill he quickly applied for a demo permit with the town which gives him until September 1st to knock the structure down and clean the property.
It was clear from Sunday’s interview that neither Hyatt nor Mayor Allers believe that Persaud will demo the structure and they are looking into whether it’s legal to continue with the process they started nearly a year ago to get that building taken down. The town red-tagged the structure in 2024 and took all the steps it gives each property owner when they are flagged for unsafe structures. In every case so far the property owner has moved quickly to come into compliance and the town has not yet had to take down a structure.
Town Council members – and Hyatt – were furious when Persaud came before the Town Council earlier this year and told them point blank it was his decision not to take the building down, that nothing was really preventing him from cleaning up the property. Persaud also owns the Dairy Queen property in Times Square which is an additional eyesore and needs cleaning up that he refuses to do. At the same time Persaud is proposing a resort and restaurant in Times Square that he expects this Town Council to approve.
I wouldn’t touch that building, Persuade would serve the town with a lawsuit to replace it. It’s all a game to that guy, he could care less about the future of the town.
In my opinion, that guy is more of a threat to FMB than Seagate is.
Hey Ed, it would seem that ‘Chess Master Persaud’ has got FMB Town Council ‘in-check’ once again! The ease in which Persaud not only brushes off all attempts to control him are obviously a large part of how he also manipulates them time & again to his own advantage. Again we’re seeing that the ones playing checkers have no chance to win against the chess players- and after all this time, the smarter thing to do would be to brush up on (all) the rules, before making their next move! It’s also obvious that Persaud’s deep pockets and his willingness to be ‘in for a penny to save a pound’ shows his willingness to ‘go all in!’ especially as he usually has the foreknowledge to predict that he’s likely to come out on top, again & again. The irony of the continuing pursuit of Persaud isn’t lost on the public, who see The Town Council almost seemingly too eager to enforce , threaten and/or otherwise deny permits and/or fair treatment to those businesses and property owners that are in fact doing the best that they can to remain/rebuild/expand on FMB, while also following every rule/permit/regulation the FMB Council has required them to do in the first place- !!! Just maybe, when the dust has settled (literally) we’ll someday see the newest version of FMB contains all of the vibrant laidback exciting easygoing tranquility everyone will want to live in, work in and recreate in.
But afterall, it’s a ‘wicked game’ .
The town should deny his plans when he submits them to build on his property two can play his game. Town needs to move forward and stand their ground.
The town attorney told this council in an Oct. meeting it had the authority to abate (knock down) unsafe buildings if owners weren’t doing it.
So, what more is to know?
Another stall.
Yes it is!
Seems like the town is full of idol threats and Mr. Persuade knows it.
Sad but true.