Fix an aging marina without spending city money.
New public waterfront - at no cost to our residents.
More than 6 times what the current operator pays, plus an additional 6% of revenue.
Over next 45 years.
New construction, marina, and restaurant opportunities for locals.
Virginia Key is one of Miami's most important and historic waterfronts. Today, much of this public land is outdated and underused, without the kind of spaces that bring families out to enjoy it.
Voting YES helps Miami turn the marina into a place more families can enjoy with updated facilities, shaded paths, a connected baywalk, and new places to gather by the water. All while generating more revenue for our City.
All paid for by private investment.
At no taxpayer expense.
FROM A MARINA FOR SOME, TO A WATERFRONT FOR ALL.
What YES means
A YES vote will help turn an aging marina with limited offerings into a more active, welcoming waterfront destination full of energy and activity for all.
A new waterfront experience without spending a penny of taxpayer dollars.
A marina for all.
The plan
Saying YES allows Miami to move forward with a privately funded plan to improve the marina between the Rusty Pelican and Marine Stadium.
WHY YES HELPS MIAMI
More than $80 million invested in Virginia Key, paid for by private investment.
Not one penny from taxpayers, public funds, or the City of Miami.
Private investment. Public benefit. Zero taxpayer dollars.
Virginia Key belongs to the people of Miami.
A YES vote helps create a waterfront where more people can walk, run, bike, paddle, boat, dine, gather, and enjoy Biscayne Bay year-round.
A vision and design for everyone, not a private club for boaters.
From a marina for some, to a waterfront for all.
This project is expected to create jobs throughout construction and long-term operation, including marina jobs, restaurant jobs, direct jobs, and indirect jobs connected to the project.
The redevelopment is expected to create 1,280 jobs.
More jobs for Miami.
This project is being led by people with deep roots in Miami and South Florida.
The team lives, works, hires, and has raised their families here. They employ more than 700 people throughout Florida, helped open Monty's in Miami Beach, helped bring Monty's Coconut Grove back to life more than 20 years ago, and leadership includes University of Miami and Florida International University alumni who care deeply about Virginia Key.
This isn't a team coming into Miami. It's a team that's been part of Miami for decades.
Built by people who know and love Miami.
A YES vote helps replace aging marina infrastructure with modern systems, stronger environmental standards, and improvements designed for the future.
The project is designed to achieve Florida Clean Marina designation - a best practice standard the current marina does not meet - along with LEED-certified design, enhanced seawalls, and additional trees and plantings to help prepare Virginia Key for the future.
A stronger marina for the future of Virginia Key.
A YES vote guarantees the City of Miami at least $2.2 million a year—without spending a penny of taxpayer money. That's more than six times the current operator’s base rent. On top of that, the City will receive 6% of all gross revenues generated by the new marina bringing projected annual rent to $3.8 million a year, which is more than double the current rent.
Miami keeps the land. Miami receives more than $200 million in revenue. Miami gets a new waterfront built for the future - and everyone.
A better deal for Miami.
PUBLIC BENEFITS
Imagine a Virginia Key with more places to walk, dine, launch, paddle, row, run, ride, gather, and enjoy the bay.
IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE:
Your YES vote helps make that possible.
Local questions
Gramps is not being asked to leave.
Gramps can stay.
The goal is to improve the marina around it, bring more people to the area, and help our local restaurants succeed.
The Rusty Pelican is outside the lease area and will not be touched.
The project is expected to help the broader area by improving access, parking, infrastructure, and the corridor leading to the restaurant. The Rusty Pelican is excited about the proposed improvements.
Yes.
Virginia Key belongs to Miami residents, and that should never change.
The agreement would lease the land for 45 years, with two possible 15-year renewal options with ongoing rent increases factored into the lease. The land will continue to belong to the City of Miami.
Answers
This project is 100% privately funded and will not cost taxpayers one cent. No public funds will be spent on this project.
On the ballot
Shall City lease approximately 27.5 acres on Virginia Key to Virginia Key, LLC, including:
Get involved
Your YES vote supports a marina for all, updated waterfront facilities, more revenue for our City, and major private investment.
All at no taxpayer expense.
Vote YES on November 3rd
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