Commissioner Murman quoted in this Tampa Bay Business Journal article on Channelside:

Apr 15, 2014, 12:58pm EDT

Port board: Don’t let Channelside plaza ‘slip through our fingers’

Eric Snider Staff Writer- Tampa Bay Business Journal

We got your back.

That’s effectively what the Board of Commissioners expressed to the management of Port Tampa Bay with regard to the ongoing dispute over Channelside Bay Plaza.

At this morning’s monthly board meeting, chair Stephen Swindal urged port staff and especially chief legal officer Charles Klug to “stay strong in protecting the community’s interest. See the process through, so we can realize the full potential of the Channelside retail complex.”

Commissioner Sandy Murman asked Klug if he had the proper legal and financial authority to “bring this to a conclusion,” and prodded, “you can’t let this slip through our fingers.”

The port is embroiled in a dispute with Liberty Channelside LLC over control of the retail complex, which is in bankruptcy.

In March, the port spent $100,322 on outside legal counsel in the Liberty Channelside matter, bringing the total outlay to $179,850, according to a summary of legal fees and expenses. The port has budgeted $225,000 in fiscal year 2014 for Channelside Bay Mall litigation.

The GrayRobinson law firm was credited with winning the dismissal of an adversary complaint filed by Liberty Channelside. Klug clarified that the April 9 dismissal was just one facet of the federal bankruptcy case. “It wasn’t dismissed entirely, but we’re working to resolve it,” he added.

Klug spoke briefly with reporters after the board meeting. When asked if he thought settling the case was possible, his answer was vague. He said a “special liquidator” would have to be involved. He also said that no hearings or decisions were imminent.

Eric Snider is a staff writer for the Tampa Bay Business Journal.