Century Extends Rent-Free Ride In Town Building For Startup Transportation Company

July 6, 2022

A startup transportation company will continue their rent-free ride in a building owned by the Town of Century for another three months.

In late April, the council approved a zero dollar, three month  lease for space in the Century Business Center with Metro Rapid Transport and their for profit non-emergency medical and other transportation service business. That lease is set to expire July 20.

Tuesday night, the council voted 5-0 to extend the agreement by three months to October 20. The town will revisit the lease before it ends and consider options going forward; there is not an automatic renewal or extension. During their use of the town’s building, Metro Rapid is responsible for utility costs.

Metro Rapid officials requested the additional three months as they continue to work toward a positive cash flow.

Town Attorney Matt Dannheisser stated in an email before the first lease was signed that he was instructed to refrain from including any requirement that the principal owners of Metro Rapid personally guarantee the rent and other obligations. The town has not conducted any due diligence into the company’s owners.

“Please recognize that because Metro Rapid is a new company (having been formed in Dec. 2021), it may have little assets. Correspondingly, in the event of breach of any terms of the lease (including, for example, breach of insurance or indemnification requirements of Sections 11 and 12), the Town may have difficulty effectively enforcing its rights under the lease,” Dannheisser warned.

Under the lease, Metro Rapid accepted the premises “as is” with the town having no responsibility for any repairs or alterations.

Metro Rapid also has nonexclusive right to use the paved parking surfaces and driveway. The lease also allows the company to use a portion of the property to the east of the Century Business Center as a bus parking area, but the buses and other vehicles are not allowed at the Century Business Center at any time. Their use is limited to overnight and temporary parking of less than 12 hours. They are not allowed to make any repairs or service the vehicles on the property.

Pictured: Metro Rapid Transportation officials address the Century Town Council Tuesday night. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

13 Responses to “Century Extends Rent-Free Ride In Town Building For Startup Transportation Company”

  1. Ellen on December 2nd, 2022 7:43 pm

    Like millions & growing im an alone human isolated until death transportation disadvantaged disabled senior with no way to medicals except medicaid paid rides. All family is dead. If medicaid is taxpayer funds which one of us can stop Medicaid. The TAXI typed of above can’t b proved in my 8 year experience here in our tri county area let alone Century. Find & expose please this taxi as we don’t have yals younger health and need this info. Rides out of Century don’t to rarely exist but you won’t fill our shoes even 1 day to find out will you. Almost ALL here are typing like your in my populations shoes yet are not typing what really is in place yet broken. A far away Pensacola taxi company way up in Century next to AL with a car what just stationed their for our inconsistent rides lol. How gullable you think people are. Vast majority of u typing aren’t on Medicaid so yal want us broken aged people to get to our headstones huh. I hope they do this to you when your old & broken. Please advise fed gov to stop paying for medical rides for senior disabled not your county gov & we’ll die faster in our century homes no problem. We don’t want you to have help in your old age either. Unlike our 1960s back to USA creation; Not 1 of you will help me as I’m elderly & dieing except to hurry it. I wish your grandparents could see you. Unlike transportation stopping our death; you promote it. What are you

  2. Carl Griggs on July 8th, 2022 3:30 pm

    I’m glad to see that this service is in place for the residents, however there are some other alternatives also most people have the option of contacting there insurance company at least 3 days in advance and they can get a ride through a taxi company out of Pensacola. Usually at no charge.

  3. Bewildered on July 6th, 2022 3:14 pm

    Lots of citizens in Century will use the $100 round trip to Pensacola , since the government is paying the fare. They will start making a profit soon and will be able to afford to pay rent

  4. Citizen on July 6th, 2022 1:06 pm

    It was empty anyway. No worries.

  5. Ol' Skinny on July 6th, 2022 12:42 pm

    Don’t shoot the messenger, I’m just asking… Does anyone else see this as possibly “reverse” discrimination? Are there any white owned businesses in Century that are getting free room and board?

  6. Tom on July 6th, 2022 11:18 am

    Wow, are there anymore buildings for rent at that price and I prefer 3 phase power? If price is the same I’ll give 2 months in advance.

  7. Concerned on July 6th, 2022 11:16 am

    Being elderly myself, I understand there are a lot of people in Century that need this business for rides to doctor appointments. Think about people sometime.

  8. Tony Wescott on July 6th, 2022 10:03 am

    This is insane lol Nothing is free…. the TAXPAYERS are paying for it…

    It’s clear Century council cares more about their partners in business rather than the citizens. Wonder who on the council is related to, friends with, or linked to this company that gets a freebie?

    I think the Northwest Florida government accountability office should be looking at this “deal” LOL

  9. Alice Mae on July 6th, 2022 9:37 am

    Didn’t they mention local routes during initial talks? What happened?

  10. Bob on July 6th, 2022 8:23 am

    Metro Rapid should get a free ride because the Town of Century gets a free ride. Magically I woke up one day and realized that everything is free.

  11. judy on July 6th, 2022 8:10 am

    Just when you think this town has made it’s dumbest decision. here comes something like this! Wonder if the “company” is related to all or part of the town council? Nobody else would get that deal for sure! Century is so obviously being run by idiots!

  12. Northendbratt on July 6th, 2022 7:54 am

    Is the Town of Century so well off it can just let businesses move in rent free…the key here ,of course, is WHO owns this business?

  13. SW on July 6th, 2022 7:03 am

    More inept leadership in Century.

    Just shut it down.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News