FAQ

Q1: What is the width of the Marina site?

A: The marina site has a total width of 512 feet, not including the driveway that is shared with Murano Grande.

Q2: What is the width of the proposed Marina Park project?

A: The width of the proposed retail & office podium is approximately 165 feet, dedicating over two-thirds of the site for publicly accessible open and park space.

The width of the proposed residential tower is approximately 120 feet (inclusive of two 6 ft. balconies) or less than a quarter of the overall site width, leaving three-quarters of the site open to maintain view, air and light corridors for the surrounding neighborhood.

Q3: How much has the width of the proposed Marina Park project decreased from the original concept design?

A: The width of the proposed retail & office podium has decreased by approximately 225% from the original proposed width of 372.5 feet along Alton Road.

The width of the proposed residential tower has decreased by approximately 268% from the original proposed width of 336 feet along Alton Road.

Q4: What is the height of the proposed Marina Park project?

A: The height of the proposed retail & office podium is approximately 50 feet; the portions immediately adjacent to, and set back from, Alton Road and the Baywalk are only two stories in height. The height of the overall project, including the residential portion, is 385 feet.

Q5: What are the total estimated fiscal benefits to the City of Miami Beach if Marina Park is approved by the voters?

A: The proposed Marina Park project will generate the following near term benefits:

$62,500,000 guaranteed minimum investment in capital improvements over 35 years ($40,000,000 minimum investment in capital improvements to the Miami Beach Marina and $22,500,000 minimum investment in capital improvements to the uplands marina facilities and other public benefits)
$55,000,000 payment to the City for upland development rights
$9,000,000 in incremental property taxes ($3,000,000 to City of Miami Beach)
$147,000,000 in total direct fiscal benefit to the City’s general revenue fund (as a result of improved lease terms, incremental property tax revenue and the proceeds from the City sale of upland development rights)

A professional economic forecast by Miami Economic Associates projected an estimated overall economic stimulus of over $260 Million dollars to the City’s economy.

Q6: Has a traffic study been conducted?

A: Yes, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. has performed a trip generation analysis for the proposed Marina Park project, and concluded that, due to the significant reduction in retail office uses and the modest 60 proposed residential units the project is not expected to result in an impact to the external roadway network and actually will result in a reduction in afternoon rush hour trip generation.

Q7: How will the proposed project improve stormwater retention and management?

A: The proposed project will improve stormwater retention and management through reduction of site pavement, increase public green spaces including a 1-acre park, proper site containment and filtration of stormwater, and avoidance of discharging contaminated stormwater into the bay.

Q8: How will the proposed project mitigate neighborhood flood risk?

A: The proposed project will enhance capacity to manage storm water runoff from adjoining neighborhoods and mitigate neighborhood flood risk by providing underground cisterns tanks to capture storm water runoff, upgrading and greatly expanding the capacity of site infrastructure, thereby reducing loads on neighborhood stormwater pumps.

Q9: What other resiliency features are being proposed?

A: In addition to site storm water management and neighborhood flood risk mitigation, the project will feature resiliency improvements such as the addition of bioswales along Alton Road, enhancement of green scape, creation of improved pedestrian and cyclist mobility along and across Alton Road, and a reduction of width and intensity of existing curb cuts.

Q10: What is the current amount of hardscape on the site?

A: The existing Marina site is comprised of 77% hardscape.

Q11: What is the proposed amount of open and green space in the new design?

A: The proposed project will dedicate approximately 70% of the Marina site area to open/green space, a 300% increase from the existing amount.

Q12: How many residential units are proposed?

A: The proposed project will include approximately 60 residential units.

Q13: How does the existing square footage of retail/office compare with what is proposed?

A: The existing site includes approximately 57,000 SF of retail /office, whereas the proposed project will include 45,000 SF of retail/office, amounting to a 21% reduction in intensity.

Q14: What is the timeline moving forward?

A: The proposal will be placed by the City on the November 3, 2020 ballot for the consideration of Miami Beach voters. If approved by the City’s voters at Referendum, the proposed Marina Park project would have to go back through the usual Design Review Board and Planning Board review and approval process for any new development and will be the subject of further public hearings.

Q15: When is construction expected to commence?

A: Assuming the Marina Park Project is approved by the voters at Referendum in November 2020, architectural drawings will be developed and submitted to the Design Review Board and Planning Board for approval. Thereafter, the Marina Park Development will be subject to the same rigorous land use Boards public hearing review process as every other development project in the City, which can take approximately eight months to one year. Once the Design Review Board and Planning Board have granted their approvals, Marina Park can finalize the architectural and construction drawings and submit for all required City and County building permits.

Q16: How long will the construction take?

A: Vertical construction is estimated to take approximately 18-24 months after the completion of site preparation.

Q17: Will the proposer work with existing tenants to retain those that are willing to remain?

A: Yes, the proposer has been in active communication with many of the existing tenants.

Q18: What improvements to the marina submerged lands are proposed?

A: The proposer intends to invest in the marina submerged lands by introducing floating docks to address sea level rise, making other needed resiliency improvements, hardening the marina against hurricanes and storm events, upgrading the Marina lighting and security surveillance system and also adding new entrance gates for all docks and new uniform and improved marina and Baywalk signage and wayfinding.

Q19: Will the number of slips at the marina increase?

A: Currently, there is no proposed expansion of the marina’s footprint; however, as the infrastructure is replaced and improved, the width and configuration of the slips may be modified to accommodate the future needs for leisure boating and luxury yachting, in order to maintain the Miami Beach Marina’s ability to remain a best-in class marine facility.

Q20: How will the public access to the site be assured?

A: The City of Miami Beach will continue to own the site and therefore will control public access to all open and park spaces.

Q21: What is being proposed to be paid in exchange for the development rights?

A: In addition to other Fiscal Benefits to the City, the City has negotiated a $77.5 Million payment for the upland development rights ($55 Million in cash and $22.5 Million in guaranteed minimum capital investment in the uplands marina facilities and other public benefits).

Q22: How long has it been since the Miami Beach Marina lease was originally negotiated?

A: The Miami Beach Marina lease was originally negotiated and signed 37 years ago in 1983.

Q23: How long can the current operator remain if the voters do not approve this project?

A: The current operator of the Miami Beach Marina can remain for 32 years.

Q24: Does the current Miami Beach Marina lease require the operator to make any capital improvements?

A: The current Miami Beach Marina lease does not require the operator to make any capital improvements.

Q25: Will the voters be able to decide on the approval of this project?

A: Yes, the intention is to bring this project to the November 3^rd Referendum.

Q26: Will there be a connection across Fifth Street on the bay walk from Murano Grande to Bentley Bay?

A: Yes, this is a separate project already in the works and funded through City of Miami Beach General Obligations Bonds approved by MB voters in 2018.

Q27: What will the marina project look like from the 395/MacArthur Causeway view?

A: Rendering of view from the west was included in the Marina Park presentation and are available on the proposer’s website: www.mbmarinapark.com.

Q28: How will Monty’s be integrated into the new space?

A: The proposer is working with all current tenants with extended leasehold terms to determine their interest in remaining and becoming part of the new Marina Park retail/office component.

Q29: What amenities will be available for the boating/yachting community in the new building?

A: The proposer intends to invest $40 million in capital upgrades to the existing marina, which would include state of the art docks, dock lighting, marina infrastructure, and improved marine dock security gates and Baywalk lighting. In addition, the proposer intends to add a marina fronting retail pedestal that will provide a marine-oriented retail experience, new improved waterfront dining opportunities, neighborhood oriented retail, dedicated marina/retail vehicular drop-off, over 2 acres of re-designed and upgraded open space, including a 1 acre at grade park.

Q30: Will the City be soliciting other proposals for this development project? If not, why not?

A: The existing lease has 32 years remaining. Therefore, a Request for Proposal is not legally feasible for another 32 years. The existing proposer has secured the consent and participation of the current marina lease holder to make this proposal to the City and its voters.

Q31: How will the views/sight lines from Rebecca Towers and Murano Grande change based on this proposed design?

A: We acknowledge that any new development will affect neighborhood views; however, City Planning Staff and City Commission committees have recommended the current slender concept design because it preserves significant view, air and light corridors for all surrounding neighbors, including Murano Grande and Rebecca Towers.

Q32: Will there be open air entertainment and/or dining in the new building? How will the city monitor audio limits / noise?

A: There is proposed outdoor dining and neighborhood-oriented retail in the proposed project, like there is today. Marina Park would be subject to all noise and entertainment restrictions that currently exist as a result of the special South of Fifth overlay zoning restrictions. Noise would be regulated by the City’s existing noise ordinance. Additional operating restrictions on hours of operations, other operating restrictions and permitted forms of entertainment at the marina site would be determined by the Planning Board after public hearing, as part of the Conditional Use approval process.

Q33: Why the proposed improvements to Alton Road?

A: The request to include improvements to enhance pedestrian and cyclist mobility along and across Alton Road is driven by neighborhood feedback and a city-wide plan to promote alternate forms of mobility and also to develop a pedestrian friendly environment for the South of Fifth neighborhood.

Q34: Will there be any changes to the marina (boat area) as part of this project?

Q35: How will area policing be improved?

A: In addition to City resources, Marina Park has proposed enhanced security surveillance and security lighting upgrades to the Marina and Baywalk. This, along with proper activation of the park through passive community programming and adjacent retail use should provide for a secure public park, inspired and tailored after the award-winning design at South Pointe Park.

Q36: What provisions are in the City Development Agreement so that this project does not disrupt resident quality of life?

A: The proposed Marina Park project, like all other construction projects in the City, will be required to comply strictly with the City of Miami Beach Noise Ordinance and will be subject to the authority of the City’s Building Official.

Q37: Currently there is a dive shop and some other boat related services with businesses in the building. How do we keep them working during construction? Are they able to stay onsite?

A: Marina Park is working with all current tenants with extended leasehold terms to determine their interest in remaining and becoming part of the new Marina Park retail/office component. This would necessarily involve mutually acceptable arrangements during any period of construction.

Q38: What “best in class” marinas did the Marina Park architects/team study and/or emulate?

A: Marina Park is partnering with Suntex Marina Investors LLC, one of the premier marina operators in the United States, with over 45 marinas in the United States. The prosed commitment of $40 million in capital investment in the marina will include floating docks to address sea level rise, making other needed resiliency improvements, hardening the marina against hurricanes and storm events, upgrading the Marina lighting and security surveillance system and also adding new entrance gates for all docks and new uniform and improved marina and Baywalk signage and wayfinding. These capital improvements along with an upgraded marine-oriented retail experience, new improved waterfront dining opportunities, a dedicated marina/retail vehicular drop-off, and the introduction of over 2 acres of re-designed and upgraded open space, including a 1 acre at grade park and a premier location in our City will ensure the Miami Beach Marina remains competitive in attracting best in class leisure boating and luxury yachting customers.

Q39: For residents south of fifth, likely exploring the area on foot, how do you approach the new building?

A: Marina Park proposes to open up the entire marina site. On the north end of the site, there is an open public plaza, with enhanced green space fronting Alton and the Baywalk and a dedicated pedestrian access to the Marina; along the building pedestal fronting the Marina, the proposer has left a 50 feet width of public green space; on the southern end of the site, there is a 1 acre at grade park with dedicated pedestrian access to the Marina and Baywalk. As proposed, Marina Park would convert a site that is over 70% hardscape into a site that is over 70% open public spaces and park.

Q40: Has there been a shadow study to make sure the pool at Murano Grande does not get fully shaded by the new building?

A: The Marina Park project was placed at a distance of 313 feet (more than a football field distance away) from the closest residential tower portion of Murano Grande, so as to mitigate any adverse view corridor or shadow impact on Murano Grande. We can confirm that depending on the season and time of day, the proposed Marina Park project will have cast no shadow at all or a minimal shadow on only a small section of the amenity deck and only during the very early morning hours. In fact, Marina Park will have substantially less of an impact that the existing shadow cast by the Murano Grande Tower on its own amenity deck during the afternoon of the summer and autumn solstice. The professional shadow study has been submitted to the City of Miami Beach for their independent review.

Q41: Will the city allow a rooftop bar / rooftop movie theatre at this location?

A: No. Marina Park is not proposing and does not want a rooftop bar or movie theater.

Q42: What are the public benefits from the design?

A: Public benefits include 1) the creation of a new, bayfront Marina Park and over 2 acres of publicly accessible open space, 2) $40 Million of capital improvements to the Miami Beach Marina, 3) $22.5 Million of capital improvements to the uplands marina facilities and other public benefits, 4) a 21% reduction is site retail intensity and the reprogramming of existing retail into a neighborhood amenity, 5) enhancements to the Miami Beach Baywalk, 6) significant site and neighborhood resiliency improvements, and 7) over $147 Million in direct fiscal benefits to the City General Revenue fund over just the first third of the lease term. For a detailed explanation of all the public and fiscal benefits of Marina Park, please visit our website www.mbmarinapark.com.

Q43: Who is the developer? What is their track record, and can you share a list of projects previously accomplished?

A: The principal of the proposer, David Martin, has developed signature and award-winning projects throughout the region working with a range of world-renowned architects and landscape architects. Among the most recent completed projects are Park Grove (Rem Koolhaas/Enzo Enea), Grove at Grand Bay (Bjarke Ingels/Raymond Jungles), 87 Park (Renzo Piano/West 8) and Glass (Rene Rodriguez/Raymond Jungles).

Frequently Asked Questions