UPDATE 10:35am

Marination Ma Kai has shared the following update: "We just received acknowledgment from the Park Dept. regarding our new partnership with the Duwamish Tribe. We have informed Greg Whittiker of the new partner and can speak with you later this week in greater detail about it. "

Original Post 6:50am

Alki Kayak Tours owner Greg Whittaker learned in early October that Marination Ma Kai intends to end his business's subcontract at Seacrest Park in West Seattle following its concession renewal with the city.

Whittaker, who has operated the kayak rental and water tour business at the location at 1600 Harbor Ave. SW since 2005, stated that losing the site will likely force his company into bankruptcy and dissolution. He stated that Marination partnered with a competing vendor for the boatyard space without holding a competitive bidding process or informing his business beforehand.

Under the City of Seattle Shoreline Master Program, water-dependent businesses receive priority, and Whittaker emphasized that his sea kayaking operation cannot function elsewhere in West Seattle.

In response to a request for comment, Marination Ma Kai owners Kamala Saxton and Roz Edison stated that proper protocol requires Seattle Parks and Recreation to acknowledge a signed Letter of Intent before disclosing the new partner. Saxton and Edison noted that they passed Whittaker's contact information to the incoming partner in case they wish to purchase his equipment, adding that they want to make the transition as smooth as possible. "

“As business owners, we've always been honest and practiced full transparency in everything we do. Additionally, we must honor and follow the proper channels and sequence for disclosure. In this case, the proper protocol requires the Parks Department to acknowledge a signed LOI with the new organization/tribe before we make any public announcements. We also made this clear to Greg Whittaker and will forward this email to him as we continue to move forward with transparency.

Once the Parks Dept. acknowledges the LOI, we will disclose the new partner to Greg and will be more than happy to have a conversation with you about it. In the meantime, we reached out to the new partner and, with his approval, passed along Greg's contact information in case they would like to purchase any of his equipment. We want nothing more than to make this as smooth a transition as possible and understand that these types of transitions are difficult in nature.

Thanks again,

Kamala Saxton and Roz Edison" they said.

Seattle Parks and Recreation rules dictate that master concession agreements prohibit subletting without prior written approval from the Superintendent, though new master operators are under no legal obligation to retain existing subtenants unless mandated in the city's request for proposals. WestsideSeattle contacted Seattle Parks and Recreation to ask if the sublease decision rests solely with Marination, if a bidding process is required, if the matter will be discussed at the upcoming board meeting, and if a variance is needed, but the department has not yet responded.

Whittaker has reached out to Seattle Parks to appeal the decision and plans to attend the Parks Board meeting on Oct. 22. The threat of closure comes as Whittaker deals with ongoing challenges at his other business, Mountain 2 Sound Outfitters on Alaska Street SW, which has struggled with crime and harassment.

This is a developing story as the name of the new sublease holder chosen by primary concessionaire Marination Ma Kai has not yet been disclosed, and Seattle Parks and Recreation has not answered submitted questions regarding the decision.