Public Voices Concern Over Eviction Notice For Jack's Boathouse

Updated: Dec. 25, 2012

Plans to evict Jack's Boathouse in Georgetown have been put on hold. The National Park Service, which owns the land that the popular kayak rental spot is located on, received messages from the public voicing concern about the eviction, reports the Washington Post.

Earlier this month, Jack's Boathouse owner Paul Simkin received a notice saying he had until the end of January to vacate the premises. In a letter, NPS said it was because his lease would be ending. However, last Monday, NPS Director Jon Jarvis told his staff "to withhold further action on the lease termination until I have conducted a thorough review and determined the best course of action," reports the Post.

Original story:

Jack's Boathouse on the Potomac River near the Key Bridge has been a landmark for nearly seven decades, but now the National Park Service has issued eviction orders, giving the popular kayak rental spot just a little over six weeks to vacate.

Paul Simkin owns Jack's Boathouse, where people have been going to rent kayaks and canoes since 1945. He tells the Georgetowner newspaper the NPS sent him what he calls a form letter giving him until the end of January to vacate. And he says, that means his 27 employees will be out of work.

The NPS hasn't commented on the reason for the eviction, but it does own the land. Simkin says last summer was their best ever, with more than 70,000 people renting watercraft to use on the Potomac.