HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Item Summary FormAGENDA ITEM SUMMARY FORM
File ID: #19190
Date: 04/13/2026
Commission Meeting Date: 06/11/2026
Requesting Department: Department of Real
Estate and Asset Management
Sponsored By:
District Impacted: District 2
Type: Resolution
Subject: Award RFP Lease - Virginia Key LLC
Purpose of Item:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S), AWARDING
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NO. 16-17-011 ("RFP") FOR THE LEASE OF CITY OF MIAMI-
OWNED WATERFRONT PROPERTY FOR MARINAS/RESTAURANT/STORE USES
LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 3301, 3605, 3501, 3311, & 3511 RICKENBACKER
CAUSEWAY, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED
AND INCORPORATED EXHIBIT "A" ("PROPERTY") TO VIRGINIA KEY, LLC ("PROPOSER")
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY A MAJORITY OF THE VOTES CAST BY THE ELECTORATE
AT A REFERENDUM ELECTION; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
LEASE AGREEMENT ("LEASE"), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE FORM ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "B," WITH PROPOSER FOR AN INITIAL TERM OF FORTY-
FIVE (45) YEARS, WITH TWO (2) FIFTEEN (15) YEAR RENEWAL TERMS AND PAYMENT
TO THE CITY OF A MINIMUM GUARANTEED ANNUAL RENT EQUAL TO TWO MILLION
TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($2,200,000), INCREASED ANNUALLY, PLUS
PERCENTAGE RENT EQUAL TO SIX PERCENT (6%) OF GROSS REVENUES FOR THE
PRIVATELY FUNDED REDEVELOPMENT OF A MARINA ON THE PROPERTY, INCLUDING
BOAT STORAGE, RESTAURANTS, RETAIL, AND PUBLIC PARKING, AS MORE
PARTICULARLY SET FORTH IN THE LEASE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY A MAJORITY OF
THE VOTES CAST BY THE ELECTORATE AT A REFERENDUM ELECTION, AND IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CITY CHARTER AND ALL OTHER
APPLICABLE LAWS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Background of Item:
The City of Miami ("City") owns the property located at approximately 3301, 3605, 3501, 3311,
and 3511 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida on Virginia Key, as more particularly
described in the attached and incorporated Exhibit "A" ("Property"). The City issued Request for
Proposals No. 16-17-011 ("RFP") on February 17, 2017 to solicit a plan to redesign, construct,
renovate, redevelop, lease, manage, and operate a mixed -use waterfront facility, including but
not limited to a marina, boatyard, dock master's office, store, dry storage, wet slip docks, and at
least one (1) restaurant at the Property. Three (3) proposals were received and deemed
responsive in accordance with the RFP's terms and conditions. Pursuant to the RFP, the City
Manager convened a selection committee to review and evaluate the proposals ("Selection
Committee"), which ultimately recommended Virginia Key, LLC ("Proposer") as the top -ranked
proposer. The City Manager approved the recommendation of the Selection Committee on June
15, 2017. On June 27, 2017, the second ranked proposer filed a bid protest. On July 20, 2017,
in accordance with Chapter 18 of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended ("City
Code"), and the requirements of the RFP, a bid protest hearing was held before a Hearing
Officer. On July 27, 2017, the Hearing Officer rendered an order denying the bid protest and
affirming the City Manager's recommendation to award a contract to the Proposer as the
highest ranked responsive, responsible proposer. On September 1, 2017, the second ranked
proposer appealed the Hearing Officer's decision by filing a petition for Writ of Certiorari to the
Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami -Dade County. The Eleventh Judicial Circuit heard oral
arguments on the matter and ultimately denied the second ranked proposer's petition on July
30, 2018, effectively upholding the Hearing Officer's decision to affirm the City Manager's
recommendation of the Proposer. On October 11, 2018, the second ranked proposer appealed
the decision of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit by filing a petition for Writ of Certiorari to the Third
District Court of Appeal of Florida. The Third District Court of Appeal denied the second ranked
proposer's petition on February 13, 2019, effectively upholding the Hearing Officer's decision to
affirm the City Manager's recommendation of the Proposer. On November 16, 2020, the City
Commission passed Resolution No. R-20-0361, rejecting all proposals in connection with the
RFP. The Proposer filed Case No. 2021-022931-CA-01 in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh
Judicial Circuit in and for Miami -Dade County, Florida, which held in favor of Proposer, declaring
that the City must award the RFP to the Proposer, pending approval by the public. The Eleventh
Judicial Circuit's final judgement was affirmed by the Third District Court of Appeal for the State
of Florida pursuant to Case No. 3D23-436.
Budget Impact Analysis
Item is Related to Revenue
Item has NOT an Expenditure
Item is NOT funded by Bonds
Total Fiscal Impact:
N/A
Reviewed B
Department of Real Estate and Asset Management
Review Completed 04/13/2026 12:39 PM
Office of Management and Budget Pedro Lacret
Office of Management and Budget Marie Gouin
City Manager's Office Erica T. Paschal
City Manager's Office Natasha Colebrook -Williams
Legislative Division Valentin J Alvarez
Office of the City Attorney Jacqueline Lorenzo
Office of the City Attorney Xavier Alban
Office of the City Attorney George K. wysong III
City Commission Maricarmen Lopez
Office of the Mayor Mayor's Office
Office of the City Clerk City Clerk's Office
Office of the City Clerk City Clerk's Office
Andrew Frey Department Head
Budget Analyst Review Completed
Budget Review Completed
Assistant City Manager Completed
Approved on behalf of the City Manager
Legislative Division Review Completed
ACA Review Completed
Deputy Attorney Review Completed
Approved Form and Correctness Completed
Meeting Completed
Signed by the Mayor Completed
Signed and Attested by the City Clerk Completed
Rendered Completed
04/13/2026 4:10 PM
04/13/2026 5:29 PM
04/14/2026 10:45 AM
Completed
04/14/2026 11:50 AM
05/14/2026 5:13 PM
06/02/2026 11:29 AM
06/02/2026 6:07 PM
06/11/2026 9:00 AM
06/17/2026 4:51 PM
06/17/2026 4:53 PM
06/17/2026 4:54 PM
City of Miami
Legislation
Resolution
Enactment Number: R-26-0254
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 19190 Final Action Date:6/11/2026
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, WITH ATTACHMENT(S),
AWARDING REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NO. 16-17-011 ("RFP") FOR THE LEASE
OF CITY OF MIAMI-OWNED WATERFRONT PROPERTY FOR
MARINAS/RESTAURANT/STORE USES LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 3301,
3605, 3501, 3311, AND 3511 RICKENBACKER CAUSEWAY, MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS
MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED AND INCORPORATED
EXHIBIT "A" ("PROPERTY"), TO VIRGINIA KEY, LLC ("PROPOSER") SUBJECT TO
APPROVAL BY A MAJORITY OF THE VOTES CAST BY THE ELECTORATE AT A
REFERENDUM ELECTION; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A
LEASE AGREEMENT ("LEASE'), IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE FORM ATTACHED AND
INCORPORATED AS EXHIBIT "B," WITH PROPOSER FOR AN INITIAL TERM OF
FORTY-FIVE (45) YEARS, WITH TWO (2) FIFTEEN (15) YEAR RENEWAL TERMS,
AND PAYMENT TO THE CITY OF A MINIMUM GUARANTEED ANNUAL RENT
EQUAL TO TWO MILLION, TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS
($2,200,000.00) INCREASED ANNUALLY, PLUS PERCENTAGE RENT EQUAL TO
SIX PERCENT (6%) OF GROSS REVENUES FOR THE PRIVATELY FUNDED
REDEVELOPMENT OF A MARINA ON THE PROPERTY, INCLUDING BOAT
STORAGE, RESTAURANTS, RETAIL, AND PUBLIC PARKING, AS MORE
PARTICULARLY SET FORTH IN THE LEASE, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY A
MAJORITY OF THE VOTES CAST BY THE ELECTORATE AT A REFERENDUM
ELECTION, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CITY
CHARTER AND ALL OTHER APPLICABLE LAWS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami ("City") owns the property located at approximately 3301,
3605, 3501, 3311, and 3511 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida on Virginia Key, as more
particularly described in the attached and incorporated Exhibit "A" ("Property"); and
WHEREAS, the City issued Request for Proposals No. 16-17-011 ("RFP") on February
17, 2017, to solicit a plan to redesign, construct, renovate, redevelop, lease, manage, and
operate a mixed -use waterfront facility, including but not limited to a marina, boatyard, dock
master's office, store, dry storage, wet slip docks, and at least one (1) restaurant at the
Property; and
WHEREAS, three (3) proposals were received and deemed responsive in accordance
with the RFP's terms and conditions; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the RFP, the City Manager convened a selection committee to
review and evaluate the proposals ("Selection Committee"), which ultimately recommended
Virginia Key, LLC ("Proposer") as the top -ranked proposer; and
WHEREAS, the City Manager approved the recommendation of the Selection
Committee on June 15, 2017; and
WHEREAS, on June 27, 2017, the second ranked proposer filed a bid protest; and
WHEREAS, on July 20, 2017, in accordance with Chapter 18 of the Code of the City of
Miami, Florida, as amended ("City Code"), and the requirements of the RFP, a bid protest
hearing was held before a Hearing Officer; and
WHEREAS, on July 27, 2017, the Hearing Officer rendered an order denying the bid
protest and affirming the City Manager's recommendation to award a contract to the Proposer
as the highest ranked responsive, responsible proposer; and
WHEREAS, on August 8, 2017, the Hearing Officer entered a final order denying the bid
protest and affirming the City Manager's recommendation to award a contract to the Proposer
as the highest ranked responsive, responsible proposer; and
WHEREAS, on September 1, 2017, the second ranked proposer appealed the Hearing
Officer's decision by filing a Petition for Writ of Certiorari to the Circuit Court of the Eleventh
Judicial Circuit in and for Miami -Dade County, Florida ("Circuit Court"), styled Case No. 2017-
000335-AP-01; and
WHEREAS, the Circuit Court heard oral arguments on the matter and rendered an
opinion on September 11, 2018, denying the second ranked proposer's petition in Case No.
2017-000335-AP-01, thereby upholding the Hearing Officer's decision affirming the City
Manager's recommendation to award a contract to the Proposer; and
WHEREAS, on October 11, 2018, the second ranked proposer appealed the Circuit
Court's decision by filing a Petition for Writ of Certiorari to the Third District Court of Appeal of
Florida ("Third District Court of Appeal"), styled Case No. 3D18-2061; and
WHEREAS, on February 13, 2019, the Third District Court of Appeal issued an opinion
denying the second ranked proposer's petition in Case No. 3D18-2061, thereby upholding the
Hearing Officer's decision affirming the City Manager's recommendation to award a contract to
the Proposer; and
WHEREAS, on November 16, 2020, the City Commission passed Resolution No. R-20-
0361, rejecting all proposals in connection with the RFP; and
WHEREAS, thereafter, the Proposer filed a complaint against the City in the Circuit
Court, styled Case No. 2021-022931-CA-01, and on February 10, 2023, the Circuit Court
entered a final judgment in favor of Proposer, declaring that the City must award the RFP to the
Proposer, pending approval by the public; and
WHEREAS, on July 31, 2024, the Third District Court of Appeal issued an opinion
affirming the Circuit Court's final judgment in Case No. 2021-022931-CA-01 pursuant to Case
No. 3D23-436;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The RFP is hereby awarded to Proposer subject to approval by a majority of
the votes cast by the electorate at a referendum election.
Section 3. The City Manager is authorized' to execute a lease agreement for the
Property, in substantially the form attached and incorporated as Exhibit "B," with Proposer for an
initial term of forty-five (45) years, with two (2) fifteen (15) year renewal terms and payment to
the City of a minimum guaranteed annual rent equal to Two Million, Two Hundred Thousand
and 00/100 Dollars ($2,200,000.00), increased annually, plus percentage rent equal to six
percent (6%) of gross revenues for the privately funded redevelopment of a marina on the
Property, including boat storage, restaurants, retail, and public parking, as more particularly set
forth in such lease agreement, subject to approval by a majority of the votes cast by the
Electorate at a Referendum Election, and in accordance with the requirements of the City
Charter and all other applicable laws.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and
signature of the Mayor.2
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
ngg City 6/2/2026
1 The herein authorization is further subject to compliance with all legal requirements that may be
imposed, including but not limited to, those prescribed by applicable City Charter and City Code
provisions.
2 If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten (10) calendar days
from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become effective
immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission.