Jack's Boathouse Hits Legal Wall

Jack's Boathouse owner Paul Simkin was dealt a blow in his legal battle to retain ownership and ability to operate a boathouse on the Georgetown waterfront when District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly's rejected his case against the District government.

In December, the National Park Service (NPS) sent a letter to Simkin saying he had until Jan. 31 to vacate the location where he operates his business. The NPS gave Jack's a bit of a reprieve a few days later, but later told Simkin it would be issuing a request for qualifications for a new contract on the property. Simkin was able to apply to operate that contract, but chose not to.

Simkin and his attorney argued that NPS does not have the jurisdiction to terminate his lease because they believe an earlier land transfer between the District and the NPS was not properly executed.

In the decision issued last week and first reported by the Georgetown Metropolitan, Kollar-Kotelly wrote that Jack's "failed to make a 'clear showing' that it is entitled to the 'extraordinary remedy' of a preliminary injunction."

Additionally, she wrote that the Simkin "lacks constitutional standing to request a declaratory judgment" against the District.

The judge did not respond in that decision to the NPS motion to dismiss Simkin's claim against it.

You can see the full decision on The Georgetown Metropolitan.

Read More:

• Jack's Boathouse Fighting Potential Ouster by NPS
• Jack's Boathouse Pursuing Litigation Against NPS
• Jack's Boathouse Site Awarded to Massachusetts Company