CRESTVIEW — A Florida Department of Transportation mandate that owners of a Krystal burger restaurant planned for State Road 85 pay to build turn lanes could be a deal breaker, the project developer said.
"We're looking for any tax relief the city of Crestview would be able to offer at this time for this project because it is in jeopardy," Bob Ziegenfuss, of Z Development Services, said.
The council took no action on Ziegenfuss's request.
Speaking before the Crestview City Council Monday evening, Ziegenfuss said "substantial improvements" required for the median exceed the project's budget by about $30,000.
The budgeted amount for roadway improvements had been based on March discussions with the city and excluded additional work the state requested.
Ziegenfuss said he felt the company was being taken advantage of by being required to make improvements that the state would probably eventually make anyway.
"We were aware the work was there; we were unaware of the expense," he said in response to questions by Councilman Shannon Hayes.
"A major corporation that has millions of dollars is asking the city to compensate $30,000?" Hayes asked. "I'm surprised the company would ask you to do this."
"We came along when a need was there and they (the state DOT) found a way to make them (the improvements) part of our project," Ziegenfuss said.
"You come here at the 11th hour and expect the city to bail you out," Councilman Joe Blocker said.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Developer: Krystal restaurant construction project 'in jeopardy'