Diamondback Online - The University of Maryland's Independent Daily Student Newspaper

Santa Fe Cafe owner Mark Srour told the College Park City Council on Tuesday he would likely install a sprinkler system in the bar next month, ending years of delays and conflict with the city.

Srour told the council the system would be installed unless his landlord decides not to renew his lease.

The city and Srour signed a property-use agreement more than five years ago in which he said Santa Fe would have a sprinkler system by March 2006. But, more than two years later, sprinklers have not been installed. Srour said he has been unable to afford the $90,000 cost of a sprinkler system.

The city has clashed with Srour repeatedly since the missed deadline and earlier this year even considered recommending to the county liquor board that Santa Fe's liquor license not be renewed.

The extended conflict has left some city council members hesitant to take Srour at his word.

"Part of the cost of doing business is complying with the law, and part of complying with the law is installing this sprinkler system," said District 1 Councilman Patrick Wojahn. "And now you're asking for us to let you go a little longer."

Srour's response, in which he said he was tired of "going around in circles" explaining himself, was so vehement that Mayor Stephen Brayman came around the table to ask him to calm down.

Srour was at the meeting to answer a letter from city attorney Suellen Ferguson, threatening legal action if he did not have a contract to have a sprinkler system installed by July 26, a deadline he asked to be extended until after he had his lease extended.

Srour said he saw no reason why his lease - which expires in the spring of 2010 - wouldn't be renewed for another 10 years or more but won't know for sure until he meets with the property owner, who he described as "a crazy little bird."

But if his lease were not renewed, Srour said, he would not honor the property use agreement and pay to have the sprinkler system installed in a building he would be vacating. He challenged the city to try pursuing legal action in such a scenario, saying he would be out by the time it was resolved.

Srour will report back to the council in early August to say whether he will be installing a sprinklers. The installation would take about four months but would not close the bar, he said.

holtdbk@gmail.com

Article Tools