A Dallas corporation and its partners want a 45-year lease — with renewals up to 75 years — of 27.62 acres of Virginia Key, one of Miami’s last public waterfronts. On November 3, City of Miami voters will decide. The answer is NO.
The ballot voters will see is misleading. A lawsuit filed July 1, 2026 says it violates Florida law. Read more →
Virginia Key is one of the last stretches of open, public bayfront the City of Miami still holds for the public. Right now, the Rickenbacker Marina and Marine Stadium Marina sit on that land — locally operated for over 40 years, home to hundreds of families, pleasure boaters, working boaters, and small marine businesses.
On November 3, 2026, City of Miami voters will be asked whether to hand a 75-year lease term over roughly 27.62 acres of that public waterfront to a company called Virginia Key LLC. The controlling partner: Suntex Marinas, a Dallas, Texas corporation that operates marinas across the country.
This isn't happening because Miami residents demanded it. It's happening because a 2023 court order forced the ballot question — using terms first written in 2015–2017 that the City is now legally barred from renegotiating.
Public waterfront, leased for up to 75 years at 2017 prices — locked in, no do-over — this is well below market giveaway that violates the City Charter. We can stop this with your help!
The ballot question voters will see was written by the City. A lawsuit filed July 1, 2026 by Miami residents and businesses (Rickenbacker Marina, Biscayne Marine Partners, and a City of Miami resident) alleges it violates Florida law by hiding what's actually in the deal. Here's what:
The ballot describes "existing Rickenbacker and Marine Stadium Marinas." The executed lease actually conveys five separate parcels — 3301, 3605, 3501, 3311, and 3511 — including restaurants, retail, and uplands. Voters are being asked to approve far more public land than the ballot discloses.
The ballot promises "approximately $80,000,000 privately funded investment to redevelop" the marinas. But the actual lease the City signed contains no enforceable investment covenant. No construction plans. No required improvements schedule. Just an aspirational number.
The ballot promises "environmentally sensitive" redevelopment. The lease contains no environmental performance requirements to back that promise up.
The ballot says "two 15-year renewals." That sounds like the City retains the option to walk away at 45 years. In reality, the tenant — not the City — decides whether to renew. This is a 75-year lock-up, not a 45-year deal.
Financial terms are locked to a 2017 appraisal that cannot be renegotiated. The result: the guaranteed rent under the new lease is less than what the current marina operator already pays the City today.
Corporate transfers and equity swaps since 2023 have allegedly shuffled critical investors and operators in ways the original bid was supposed to prevent.
Proposed Lease and Redevelopment of existing Rickenbacker and Marine Stadium Marinas on Virginia Key Shall City lease approximately 27.62 acres on Virginia Key to Virginia Key, LLC for: · 45-year initial term with two 15-year renewals; · Minimum annual guaranteed rent to City of $2,200,000 (with escalations) totaling approximately $203,980,000 over the initial term plus 6% of gross revenues; · Approximately $80,000,000 privately funded investment to redevelop existing Rickenbacker and Marine Stadium marinas in an environmentally sensitive manner, including boat storage, restaurants, retail, and public parking? YES NO
The ballot question has been submitted to the Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections. A lawsuit filed July 1, 2026 alleges it violates Florida law by hiding what's actually in the deal. Voters deserve to know the truth before they vote.
This is a City of Miami-only vote. If you live in the City of Miami and are registered to vote, this ballot is coming to you. Vote by mail, vote early, or vote on Election Day — but vote NO.
Virginia Key isn't just a marina. It's one of the last stretches of public waterfront left in Miami — and a 75-year lease decides who gets to use it for the rest of most of our lives.
The length of the lease on the ballot. Three generations of Miamians locked in.
One of the last publicly controlled marinas on Biscayne Bay.
Public boat ramps, walkways, and shoreline that belong to residents — not a single operator.
Once this passes, there is no take-back. The next chance to renegotiate is 2101.
Vote NO on November 3, 2026 — and keep the bay public.
A joint venture between:
Critics accused them of wanting to replace beloved local fixtures like the Gramps Getaway restaurant with a "Mega Mall Yacht Marina."
Backed by:
A resident-led effort to keep Miami’s public waterfront local, affordable, and truly public.
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