The Gulfport Lions Club building sits at 4630 Tifton Dr. S. in Gulfport’s Marina district.
Photo by Cameron Healy
Gulfport City Council voted unanimously Dec. 2 to table two agenda items involving a proposed payout of more than $250,000 to the Gulfport Lions Club. The action postponed a major financial decision and created space for further review.
Council members expressed concerns about the appraisal method, the lease requirements, and the building’s true condition.
City Explains the Basis for the Requested Payout
City Manager Jim O’Reilly opened the discussion by outlining the process.
“The Lions Club has notified the city that they would be no longer occupying the building,” he said.
O’Reilly noted that the current lease expires on Dec. 5.
“There is a buyout provision for their improvements,” O’Reilly added. “The amount to be paid based on the appraisal is $264,246.”
According to O’Reilly, staff followed the lease language and relied on the appraisal provided.
Shaw Requests More Detail About the Appraisal
Ward II Council member Marlene Shaw then sought clarification about the valuation.
“If it is accrued cash value, that still matters, and the appraisal reflects that,” She continued, “But I read that we were supposed to use an MAI appraiser. We used a state certified appraiser instead. Is that acceptable? Also, the appraisal from last year appeared to be replacement cost, but this one is actual cash value. Is that correct?”
O’Reilly responded, “No, they were both actual cash value.”
His answer prompted Shaw to say she would review the earlier report again.
Broader Concerns
Vice Mayor April Thanos offered sharper criticism.
“The lease calls for an MAI, which is different from a certified inspector,” Thanos said.
Moreover, she noted that MAI appraisers normally provide market value, actual cash value, and rental value.
“This only did actual cash value, and our lease requires market value,” Thanos said. She argued the building should be “100% depreciated.”
As a result, she questioned the report’s calculations.
“These numbers absolutely do not make sense,” Thanos said. “This is a rip off of our tax money.”
That’s not all that happened at the Dec. 2 Gulfport City Council meeting. Read about ADUs, Charter amendment, Mayor Karen Love, roadway improvements, and what we overheard.
Gulfport City Council voted unanimously Dec. 2 to table two agenda items involving a proposed payout to the Gulfport Lions Club.
Photo by Cameron Healy
Mayor Karen Love acknowledged similar uncertainty.
“I don’t know the difference between a MAI and a state approved appraiser,” Love stated.
A state certified appraiser meets Florida’s minimum licensing requirements, which include coursework, exams, and supervised hours. They can legally appraise most property types, but are not required to complete advanced training in commercial valuation.
In contrast, an MAI appraiser holds a prestigious designation from the Appraisal Institute that requires extensive experience, graduate-level education, and strict ethical standards. MAI appraisers specialize in complex commercial valuations and must demonstrate more than 4,500 hours of high-level appraisal work.
An MAI designation signals deeper expertise and broader competency than a standard state certification, especially for commercial buildings, lease valuations, and market-value assessments.
Residents Highlight Additional Issues
Several residents also raised concerns.
Resident Jonathan Micocci described a “gigantic discrepancy” between market value and cash value.
He added that actual cash value “might be a negative number right now.”
Meanwhile, speaking for resident Lauren Stern, Courtney Prokopas questioned the structure of the lease.
“The building was significantly damaged,” she said. “Is it not worth zero?”
Next Steps
Ultimately, Council members agreed to delay the vote.
They directed the City Manager to get a new appraisal by an MAI. They will review the new appraisal, lease language, examination standards, and appraisal requirements before taking final action.
The Gulfport City Council’s next meeting will be Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m.
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