Miami Votes No on Virginia Key Marina Deal: What Comes Next

November 9, 2026 · 4 min read

Miami voters rejected a long-term Virginia Key marina lease. Here is what was on the ballot, why it drew attention, and what city leaders could do next.

Here at Danilli, we build AI tools right here in Miami for everyone who calls this vibrant community home. Living in our city means keeping an eye on the public spaces we all share, especially along the water. On November 3, 2026, city voters headed to the polls and made a major decision regarding the future of our waterfront.

According to election results reported November 5 by Miami Local Today, voters soundly rejected Referendum 3. In total, 64,034 residents, or 65.22%, voted against the proposed Virginia Key marina lease, while 34,146 voted in favor. The vote put a decisive stop to the pending redevelopment agreement, but it also left the immediate future of the waterfront, the marinas, and local spots like Gramps Getaway completely unsettled.

What was on the ballot for Virginia Key?

The referendum asked voters to approve a long-term private lease covering about 27.6 acres of public land on Virginia Key. As reported by Axios Miami, the footprint included both the Rickenbacker Marina and the Marine Stadium Marina.

The proposed agreement was designed as an initial 45-year lease, with options for two separate 15-year renewals. In exchange for the long-term control of this waterfront acreage, the private operators would have been required to pay the city at least $2.2 million in annual rent, along with 6% of gross revenues generated at the site.

Supporters pointed to the physical upgrades included in the plan. The proposal outlined substantial capital improvements, including newly constructed boat docks, updated boat storage facilities, restaurant spaces, and a public baywalk designed to open up access along the water.

Why the referendum sparked a fierce debate

Despite the promise of new amenities, the measure faced significant public pushback. A central point of contention was the age of the agreement itself. On November 3, WLRN reported that the ballot question relied on terms originating from a 2017 bid. The city was required to place that older proposal before voters following a lengthy legal battle.

Critics argued that holding a vote on nearly decade-old terms was not in the public's best interest. They contended that Miami could secure far better financial terms and community returns if the property were assessed and negotiated using current property values rather than numbers set in 2017.

The high stakes turned the referendum into an expensive and visible campaign. Combined spending on the race surpassed $3 million. Local business owners also joined the fray. Adam Gersten, the owner of Gramps Getaway, actively organized opposition events and urged residents across the city to vote no on the measure.

What city commissioners could do next

With Referendum 3 off the table, the responsibility falls back on city leaders to decide the next steps for Virginia Key. A November 5 report in the Miami Herald outlined the two primary pathways now available to Miami commissioners:

Launch a new bidding process: Commissioners could issue a fresh request for proposals based on up-to-date valuations and put a newly negotiated deal before voters in a future election.
Keep management in-house: The city could decide to operate both marinas itself. The city already runs Marine Stadium Marina, making citywide management an existing operational option.

Elected officials have already begun weighing in on what should guide the next phase. Commissioner Damian Pardo told the Miami Herald that he wants to see new proposals brought forward, emphasizing the need for substantial community input and clear community benefits. Meanwhile, Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela stated that his priority is making sure the city lands the best possible deal for taxpayers.

What it means for you

For everyday Miamians, the defeat of Referendum 3 brings both relief and ongoing uncertainty:

The waterfront stays as it is for now: The planned changes—including new restaurant spaces, updated boat storage, new docks, and the public baywalk—will not move forward under the defeated plan.
Existing spaces remain in limbo: The long-term status of local establishments like Gramps Getaway and the operations at both marinas remain unresolved until the commission chooses a path.
A new deal could take time: Whether commissioners choose in-house management or draft a new request for proposals with community benefits, any major transition or future public vote will take time to organize.

As Miami continues to grow, debates over our shared public shoreline remain central to our city's identity. We will continue watching how local leaders approach the next chapter for Virginia Key.

Sources

Ask Danilli about it

Questions about this story? Danilli reads the news every day and answers in plain English or Spanish.

Try Danilli free

Written with Danilli's AI from the sources listed above, then published automatically. News changes fast: check the sources for the latest.