KELSEYVILLE >> After almost 10 years of on again, off again sales talk, a deal for Konocti Harbor has been announced. The undisclosed buyer is said to be a group in the Bay Area.
While there is no word yet on plans for the famous venue, shuttered in 2009, Phil Smoley of Country Air Properties said “this is a big thing for Lake County.”
Country Air in Lakeport was the broker for the deal.
Smoley said the transaction was complex with many challenges but their agent, Kathy Wayland, navigated through it never giving up.
“Knowing what she went through to get to this point, I am very impressed and proud of her, and she should get the lion’s share of our County’s thanks,” Smoley said.
Lake County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson said she does not have much information at this point but is aware that the District Supervisor where the Property is located, Rob Brown, wants to meet with the buyers to get a better sense of what plans they have for Konocti Harbor at a later date.
“But as far as I know, no date to meet set yet,” Huchingson said.
“If only someone would buy Konocti Harbor …” has been a constant refrain since the facility shut down in November of 2009. Once one of the most popular concert venues between the Bay Area and Portland, the facility drew top national touring acts and tourists to Lake County. Its closure cost the county hundreds of jobs and untold lost revenue.
At the time, the General Manager of Konocti Harbor Greg Bennett had told the Record-Bee that it was a sad time for him and many others who worked there.
“Its way more than a job to our staff, it’s a family,” Bennett said when it closed down. “This is the last page of the last chapter, and then it’s on to a new book.
Bennett started working for Konocti Harbor back in 1990.
Trouble began for Konocti Harbor in 2004, when the U.S. Department of Labor filed a lawsuit against Local 38 of the United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters and Journeymen, part of the ownership group, due to alleged trustees violations of federal law.
At its peak, Konocti Harbor featured a 5,000 outdoor area, an indoor concert facility, a spa, guest rooms, boat docks and meeting space. Most recently it has been used to house fire victims.
58-acre resort, which features a 5,000-seat outdoor amphitheater, a 1,000-seat indoor concert hall that attracts major acts,
The resort has periodically been the subject of sales talk and was reported in escrow on several occasions, all without closure.
More information will likely be released over the next few weeks.
