10/02/2026
Dear Miami,
VOTE NO #291 on Miami Referendum 3 aka The Virginia Key Referendum
On the last page of the City of Miami Ballot this November, and on your current vote by mail/absentee ballot:
Miami Referendum 3 aka “The Virginia Key Referendum”, asks if the City of Miami should lease over 27 acres of public waterfront, on Virginia Key, to an out of state developer for 75 years; in exchange for a paltry $80M investment and $2.2M in “guaranteed” annual rent. These terms date back to a 2017 draft agreement between the developer and the City. *RED FLAG* this is another below market giveaway.
Simply stated, the referendum asks voters if this “is a good deal for the city?” IT IS NOT. It is based on 10 year old financial terms Are any of you paying 2017 rent or interest rates?
The current businesses onsite which include 2 public marinas, Gramps Getaway, and numerous others, provide the City with $3M annually. This far exceeds the “guaranteed” $2.2M annual rent in the referendum, with no resets or escalations other than CPI. Don’t be fooled by the deceptive “Save Virginia Key” campaign, with its false promises and paid influencers.
The bottom line is that no one, especially out of state developers, should be able to displace local small businesses, an affordable city operated marina, and destroy marine habitat, while getting a steep discount on a 27 acre, 75 year lease of public waterfront. VOTE NO #291 on Miami Referendum 3.
