SaveVirginia KeySave Virginia Key
Your YES vote gives more people access to Virginia Key
Fully privately funded.
Major improvements paid for by private investment.
A 23% increase over the existing marina operator’s rent, plus 6% of all gross revenues.
Projected lease revenue over the initial term.
A marina for all
Baywalks, pedestrian paths, patios, restaurants, and waterfront spaces.
From a marina for some, to a waterfront for all.
The opportunity
Help Save Virginia Key
Virginia Key is one of Miami’s most important waterfront places.
But today, too much of this rare public waterfront is underused, outdated, and out of reach for too many Miami families.
Voting YES gives Miami a chance to reimagine the marina as a vibrant waterfront destination with updated facilities, shaded pedestrian paths, a connected baywalk, more places to gather, more ways to enjoy the water, and more revenue for the City.
All paid for by private investment.
At no taxpayer expense.
What YES means
Your YES vote opens the waterfront to everyone
A YES vote helps turn an existing marina property into a more active, welcoming, and accessible waterfront destination.
- A place to walk by the bay.
- Launch a boat.
- Meet friends for lunch.
- Take your kids near the water.
- Train before sunrise.
- Cool down after a ride or run.
- Paddle, row, gather, and enjoy more of Virginia Key.
This is private investment creating public benefit.
And it does not spend a penny of taxpayer dollars.
A marina for all.
The plan
What gets improved?
Saying YES allows Miami to move forward with a privately funded plan to improve the marina between the Rusty Pelican and Marine Stadium.
The plan includes:
- Upgraded marina infrastructure
- A connected baywalk through the marina area
- Dry boat storage
- Indoor boat storage
- Wet slips
- New docks, slips, and marina infrastructure
- Public waterfront promenade
- Shaded pedestrian paths
- Public parking
- Waterfront restaurants
- Retail space
- Public restrooms
- Fueling upgrades
- Boat launches
- Improved access to water recreation
- Shade, hydration, and gathering spaces
- Amenities for runners, cyclists, rowers, paddlers, and triathletes
- Landscape buffer and shared path
- Urban tree canopy and landscaping
- Family-friendly waterfront spaces
Initial improvements include:
- Upgraded marina infrastructure
- 282 dry boat slips
- A relocated dockmaster’s office
- Improvements to approximately 19,000 square feet of existing commercial space
Future phases include:
- Up to 750 dry storage slips
- 202 wet slips
- Expanded commercial space
- Approximately 630 parking spaces
- Fueling upgrades
- Two boat launches
No taxpayer expense
Miami gets the upgrades. Taxpayers don’t get the bill.
The project is 100% privately funded, with more than $80 million in private investment.
Not one penny will come from taxpayers, public funds, or the City.
Private investment. Public benefit. Zero taxpayer dollars.
A marina for all
A marina for all
Virginia Key belongs to Miami residents.
A YES vote helps create a waterfront where more people can walk, dine, launch, paddle, train, gather, and enjoy the bay year-round.
This is not a private club.
It is a marina built for more of Miami.
From a marina for some, to a waterfront for all.
Environmental standards
Environmental improvements
A YES vote helps update marina facilities and infrastructure with more efficient systems and stronger environmental standards.
The plan includes:
- Best management practices
- Clean Marina Certification
- LEED / Green Certification
- Urban trees for more shade
City revenue
More revenue for the City
The new agreement guarantees the City $2.2 million per year in rent, a 23% increase over the existing marina operator’s rent.
The City also receives 6% of all gross revenues.
Projected proceeds over the initial 45-year term are expected to surpass $200 million.
Miami keeps the land.
Miami gets the improvements.
Miami receives more revenue.
Taxpayers do not pay a penny.
Public amenities
More reasons to love Virginia Key
Imagine a Virginia Key with more places to walk, dine, launch, paddle, row, run, ride, gather, and enjoy the bay.
Public-facing benefits include:
Your YES vote helps make that possible.
Local questions
Important Local Questions
What happens to Gramps?
Gramps is not being torn down.
Gramps will stay.
The building that houses Gramps Getaway will remain in place, with only superficial and infrastructure-related improvements.
The goal is to improve the marina around it, bring more people to the area, and help local destinations succeed.
What happens to the Rusty Pelican?
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, and they are excited about the proposed improvements.
Will the City still own the land?
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
FAQ
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
Official Ballot Language
Proposed lease and redevelopment of existing Rickenbacker and Marine Stadium Marinas on Virginia Key
Shall City lease approximately 27.5 acres on Virginia Key to Virginia Key, LLC, including:
- 45-year initial term with two 15-year renewals;
- Minimum annual guaranteed rent to City of 2.2 million dollars, with escalations, totaling approximately $203,983,000 over the initial term, plus 6% of gross revenues;
- Approximately eighty million dollars of privately funded investment to redevelop existing Rickenbacker and Marine Stadium Marinas in an environmentally sensitive manner, including boat storage, restaurants, retail, and public parking?
Get involved
Help Save Virginia Key
Your YES vote can unlock a marina for all, updated waterfront facilities, more revenue for the City, and major private investment.
All at no taxpayer expense.
Vote YES on November 3rd
Stay informed
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