Buffett’s Iconic Shrimp Boat Sound Studios at Center of Turbulent Bight Board Meeting as Decision Pushed to December
A tense, hours-long Bight Board meeting exposed confusion over process, clashes over online attacks, and a renewed push for the Spottswood and Bernsen teams to meet before December’s vote.
Jimmy Buffett’s iconic Shrimp Boat Sound Studios — the intimate waterfront recording room on Lazy Way Lane where Buffett, Brian Wilson and generations of artists crafted the sound of old Key West — became the flash-point of a contentious Key West Bight Management District Board meeting Wednesday, ending in a unanimous vote to postpone any lease decision until Dec. 10.
Over nearly an hour of testimony and debate, board members confronted confusion over legal process, public-relations warfare, cultural preservation, and financial stewardship — while two competing groups pushed sharply different visions for the future of the beloved space.
The seven-member Bight Board, appointed individually by city commissioners and the mayor, oversees all public property within the Historic Seaport.
Board Membership & Appointing Commissioners
Chairman Michael Knowles — Appointed by Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover (Chamber of Commerce seat)
Vice Chairman Steve Henson — Appointed by Commissioner Castillo (Real Estate)
Bill Lay — Appointed by Commissioner Lissette Carey (Tenants’ Rep.)
Heather Slivko-Bathurst — Appointed by Commissioner Sam Kaufman (Maritime)
Arnaud Girard — Appointed by Commissioner Monica Haskell (Maritime)
Jimmy Weekley — Appointed by Commissioner Clayton Lopez/Lee (Historic Preservation)
J. Jon Ashby — Appointed by Mayor Danise Henriquez (Legal/Banking)
Tenants report mixed tourism trends
Before Shrimp Boat Sound was taken up, tenants reported strong business during powerboat race week, a weak Fantasy Fest, and ongoing airline disruptions that continue to dampen visitation to the Bight.
Marketing contract approved — but members question its performance
The board approved a $225,125 marketing contract with ADEPT Strategy, though several members voiced strong concerns about low engagement.
Heather Slivko-Bathurst said the city shouldn’t spend “that kind of money for 10 likes per post,” pressing for analytics and accountability. She cast the lone dissenting vote.
Public testimony overwhelmingly supports preserving a working recording studio
Dozens of speakers urged the city to save the site as a recording studio — not another bar or tourist shop.
They compared the opportunity to:
AIR Studios in Montserrat, where Elton John, Dire Strait and The Police recorded
Capricorn Studios in Macon, Georgia, birthplace of Otis Redding, the Allman Brothers and Widespread Panic, which was recently reopened as a working studio and heritage-tourism magnet
Local musician Megan Barter recalled trying to shove a note under the studio’s door as a teenager hoping for a music job. Residents spoke of decades of memories with Buffett, Brian Wilson, and the island’s creative community.
“Key West has enough bars,” one resident said. “We don’t have another Shrimp Boat Sound.”
Process confusion exposes legal dysfunction — and evokes the $25,000 check fiasco
City legal ineptitude on full display
Board members repeatedly expressed frustration with the city’s unclear process, contradictory interpretations of procurement policy, and lack of timely legal guidance.
For weeks, staff failed to clarify whether the studio should be handled via:
an LOI,
a P3 proposal,
or a full RFP.
The confusion coincides with the instability created by City Attorney Ron Ramsingh’s entanglement in the Bubba Bozo Trio corruption probe, which has left the city without reliable legal leadership.
A familiar mistake: the $25,000 check
Several board members referenced an earlier scandal involving an improperly issued $25,000 check connected to the Bight — a lingering symbol of poor oversight and procedural breakdown.
On Wednesday, board members warned that Shrimp Boat Sound risked becoming another example of the city’s inability to follow its own legal frameworks.
City Commission sidelined
Multiple members (from both sides of the dais) questioned why this major decision never went before the City Commission, despite prior studio decisions requiring commission approval.
Board condemns 1,500-copy mass email blast — and retracts false claims against Above the Fold
Nearly 1,500 copy-and-paste emails attacking the Spottswood family inundated the board.
Bill Lay called the campaign “inappropriate and unfair.”
Jimmy Weekley labeled it “cult-like,” noting fewer than five emails were original.
David Bernsen denied any involvement.
Above the Fold Has the Conch Shell
Several members of the board repeated an incorrect allegation that Above the Fold or editor Ted Lund coordinated the campaign.
He posted fact-based reporting only
He provided no templates
He coordinated no messaging
He ran no advocacy effort
He added that he was disappointed that only about 5% of people who messaged him requesting information actually submitted comments to the city, despite asking for accurate reporting.
Lund also stated he does not tolerate “libelous or defamatory accusations” and is “fairly litigious” in defending his reputation and the integrity of Above the Fold’s reporting.
Bernsen: Full-market rent, no deferral, charity-driven plan backed by Buffett insiders
Appearing via Zoom, David Bernsen proposed a complete restoration of Shrimp Boat Sound as a working studio, with tours, educational programming, and 100% of profits donated to Key West charities.
His team includes:
Mac McAnally
Kenny Chesney
Zac Brown
Savannah Buffett
Lulu Buffett
Bernsen committed to:
Paying full market rent
Taking no rent deferral
Covering all renovation costs
Preserving Buffett’s legacy in place
He likened the project to the revival of Capricorn Studios.
Spottswood: Prioritize city revenue — but proposal offered below-market rent with a 13-month deferral
Robert Spottswood Jr. argued the city must prioritize predictable recurring revenue and redevelopment potential.
However, his proposal included:
Below-market rent, and
A 13-month rent deferral,
Berensen wanted fair market rate and no forbearance.
Spottswood said he supports including Buffett’s name if licensing is secured and agreed to meet with Bernsen after waiving a legal conflict.
Should proposals merge? Board split
Some board members floated blending the financial stability of the Spottswood plan with Bernsen’s cultural authenticity.
Others warned that pushing applicants into a joint venture risks violating procurement norms.
City Attorney’s Office staff said:
No cone of silence applies
The P3 triggers a required 90-day review
The city could reissue LOIs, issue an RFP, or consider a joint approach—but only if both parties agree
Decision postponed to Dec. 10
After nearly seven hours of debate, the board unanimously postponed action until Dec. 10, giving both groups time to meet and refine proposals.
Folded from earlier Above the Fold reporting
As previously reported, a moment of potential cooperation between the groups early in the meeting collapsed as tensions rose.
Board members also initially repeated inaccurate statements about Above the Fold before acknowledging Lund’s clarifications.
Full video coverage coming
Above the Fold will publish complete video coverage of the meeting, including all presentations, public comment, legal discussions and the final motion to postpone.
This is an evolving story. Watch this space for updates. Full video to follow tommrow so that you may listen them.