Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava is officially on the record about Miami’s proposed long-term lease and redevelopment of two Virginia Key marinas.

Levine Cava announced her opposition to Referendum 3, warning that the proposed control shift and changes threaten Biscayne Bay, public access and businesses operating along the waterfront.

The measure, if approved, would authorize a lease potentially lasting 75 years.

“Biscayne Bay is the blue heart of our community and our economy, and we have a responsibility to protect it,” Levine Cava said, arguing the proposal would require dredging, increase waterfront development and put existing businesses and boaters at risk.

“Once we give away precious public waterfront or damage sensitive habitat, we cannot simply get it back. That’s why I’m urging Miami voters to vote NO on Miami Referendum 3 to preserve and protect Virginia Key.”

The ballot question asks voters to lease 27.62 acres encompassing the Rickenbacker and Marine Stadium marinas to Virginia Key LLC, a partnership between RCI Group and Suntex Marinas.

The initial agreement would span 45 years, with two possible 15-year extensions. Miami would receive annual minimum rent starting at $2.2 million, with increases totaling approximately $204 million during the initial term, plus 6% of gross revenues.

The developers, in turn, would invest about $80 million in marina facilities, boat storage, restaurants, shops and public parking.

Miami would retain ownership of the land.

A support campaign for the proposals says the improvements would broaden public access through a waterfront promenade exceeding 1,200 feet, shaded paths and recreational amenities. It also says restaurant Gramps Getaway could continue operating and touts environmental upgrades to aging marina infrastructure.

Levine Cava’s announcement drew praise from Rickenbacker Marina President Aabad Melwani, who founded Preserve and Protect Miami with Gramps Getaway owner Adam Gersten.

Both operate businesses within the redevelopment area. Rickenbacker Marina’s lease expired in 2016 after decades of operating the property.

“Mayor Levine Cava has never been afraid to stand up for Miami-Dade’s environment or the people and businesses who depend on it, and we’re grateful she’s standing with us,” Melwani said.

“Her opposition makes clear that the concerns about this deal are serious and deserve the attention of every Miami voter. We have one chance to get this decision right, and on November 3, that means voting NO on Miami Referendum 3.”

The campaign has already aired ads attacking the lease’s duration, financial terms and Suntex’s management record.

The proposal reached voters after years of litigation over competitive bidding. Commissioners unanimously placed it on the ballot in June after courts found Miami had improperly discarded the procurement results.

Circuit Judge Lisa Walsh subsequently denied opponents’ request to remove the question. Their underlying lawsuit remains pending, with trial scheduled for September 2027.

Florida Politics reported this week that Melwani helped establish Gramps Getaway’s operating company in 2023 before being removed as a listed member. Licensing records identify a Delaware company as its owner but do not establish who owns that entity.

Miami voters rejected a separate marina proposal in 2021 that would have bypassed competitive bidding to award a lease to an affiliate of the current operator.

This year’s measure is one of three city questions on the November ballot. The others concern a $450 million public safety bond and a permanent committee to oversee projects financed through general obligation bonds.

Election Day is Nov. 3.