The Fishing Barge requested an early termination of the concession agreement due to lack of funds needed to make necessary repairs, according to the Aug. 1 agenda item.
In November 2021, the United States Army Corps of Engineers and city officials determined after an annual inspection that the Fishing Barge was operating under unsafe conditions.
The city then issued an order to evacuate the premises, which was unsuccessfully appealed. The Fishing Barge has remained closed due to electrical and structural issues.
The owner received deadline extensions to make the necessary repairs but ultimately lacked the funds and went on to request early termination of the agreement. The concession agreement was a 25-year term set to expire in April 2025.
The Fishing Barge, located off Lake Park Road on Lake Lewisville has been operating since 1957 and offered year-round fishing.
Once the settlement agreement is executed, the Fishing Barge will be demolished and the site is expected to be part of a competitive bid process. However, as one of the most popular draws to the area, the Lake Park Master Plan will continue to hold a spot for a Fishing Barge in the hopes that it can be return at a later date, according to the agenda item.
