UPDATED: 1/16/20 5 p.m.
What happens when a quiet area begins to pop off? Well, according to past incidents involving Franklin Manor and the most recent issue with the Tampa Park & Rec location, lawsuits. Park & Rec—located at 290 S. Meridian Ave., in between Sparkman Wharf and Amalie Arena—has been served with a lawsuit by The Towers of Channelside Condominium Association Inc., which shares the same space with the bar and restaurant concept.
An article by Tampa Bay Business Journal details the lawsuit filed by The Towers of Channelside Condominium Association Inc. against the Tampa location of Park & Rec. TBBJ wrote that the association asked Park & Rec to cease and desist the use of the common areas on Aug. 22, 2019, prior to the adult playground's official opening in late October 2019. Some allegations thrown at Park & Rec Tampa by The Towers of Channelside Condominium Association Inc. include:
- "Park & Rec uses the unapproved outdoor speakers until the early morning hours and employs unapproved flashing colored lights that were installed after the cease and desist demand."
- The restaurant actions “place individuals and property in jeopardy of irreparable harm, and interfere with the other retail and residential unit owners’ quiet enjoyment of their units and the shared facilities."
- "The condo association is seeking declaratory relief to stop Park & Rec from using a space it refers to as "the overall lot," which includes the condo towers' common spaces. Park & Rec, the association alleges, has no right to the common areas, but has still installed televisions, lighting, speakers, wiring and plumbing there."
Both Park & Rec locations—as well as, The Avenue, No Vacancy (and previous St. Pete haunts Proper Kitchen and Kings)—fall under the umbrella of the Hunger + Thirst Restaurant Group. Back in 2017, owner of Hunger + Thirst Group, Stephen Schrutt faced a different kind of suit after being accused of refusing to pay back wages to the former general manager of Proper Kitchen, a restaurant which has since shut down. Schrutt told CL in a text message that the 2017 lawsuit was dropped.
Schrutt also told CL he's been attempting to have a meeting with the association for over a month; he said the association has refused.
"We requested to work out different arrangements, but the Association refused to meet with us after several requests," Schrutt wrote in a text message. "We are saddened that the Association has felt the need to file litigation at the expense of its owners when their concerns described could have easily been worked out without the need of costly litigation."
CL left a voicemail for The Towers of Channelside Condominium Association Inc.'s General Manager Steven Walters. See Schrutt's full statement below.
These lawsuits aren't that surprising considering downtown Tampa has recently been taken over by a younger crowd that enjoys to concepts where operating hours run late into the night. More details to come as this lawsuit unfolds and further action is taken by either party.
Below is the full statement from Hunger + Thirst Group owner Stephen Schrutt:
"Park & Rec TPA is the premier new spot to have fun while enjoying delicious food and cocktails. Our signature outdoor area offers a fun atmosphere while guests can relax in a shaded outdoor area. Park & Rec TPA was recently made aware of a lawsuit filed by the Condominium Association. We have been attempting to have an in-person meeting with the Condominium Association for over a month to discuss the issues identified in their Complaint. We requested to work out different arrangements, but the Association refused to meet with us after several requests. We are saddened that the Association has felt the need to file litigation at the expense of its owners when their concerns described could have easily been worked out without the need of costly litigation. However, we are excited about our newest location in Tampa along with the massive amount of growth around us. We look forward to making new friends in the many years to come while giving them a place that’s fun for them to enjoy."
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