As reported early this month by the Tampa Bay Times, the City of New Port Richey confirmed that a development deal reached on the Hacienda Hotel has fallen through.

The prospective developers, Yaakov and “Avi” Rosner, a father-and-son team of investors from Israel, cited the City’s lack of flexibility over access and ownership of the property during the Hacienda’s renovations. The City claims that the Rosners failed to secure a general contractor and did not meet the requirements of the agreements.

The Rosners also claim that the City backed out of a verbal agreement to sell the City’s business incubator building to the Rosners to use as administrative offices and additional parking for the hotel. None of the notes from previous Council meetings support such an agreement being made, though it was proposed by the Rosners through back channels. It is unlikely from previous city staff comments that any of the council members or high level city staff had told the Rosners they would receive such a deal. It should also be noted that in general city governments don’t engage in “verbal” agreements, nor are they enforceable. Yaakov Rosner told the Tampa Bay Times that he was not going to rule out civil litigation regarding the failed deal.

NewsPortRichey reported previously on the Rosners’ previous dealings, including a dubious hotel under their management in Yulee, Florida, which appeared to be having issues with the Department of Professional Regulations. NewsPortRichey also revealed that “Avi” Rosner was disingenuous in his proposal to New Port Richey City Council, misrepresenting the number of rooms that his hotel in Yulee was operating.

The deal’s end comes as the first stages of renovations are completed on the Hacienda, which were funded by a $1 million grant from the State of Florida, signed by Rick Scott in mid-2015. City officials have continued to seek additional state funding to restore the building to its original architectural status. Existing renovations have already opened the previously removed East entrance, restored the courtyard and its fountain, removed a large veranda added to the north side of the building near Sims Park, and removed dated facade improvements and a copycat spire that was added to the south end of the building.