Developer David Martin says a proposed 841-boat marina is essential to financing his redevelopment of the Miami Seaquarium property on Virginia Key.

Martin described the marina as the project's financial engine during a Monday presentation at the Rusty Pelican, Coconut Grove Spotlight reported Nov. 5. The report described a $100 million redevelopment that would include an aquarium without marine mammals, a science center and a public baywalk.

The marina proposal combines 295 wet slips with dry storage for 546 vessels, according to Spotlight. The 841 total refers to boats accommodated across both types of storage, rather than 841 wet slips.

Environmental concerns

Martin said the project would not require new dredging and that the basin had been dredged in the 1940s, Spotlight reported. His team proposed adding coral, oysters, sponges and seagrass and said it expected environmental benefits.

Those are the developer's plans and assessments. Audience members questioned whether transplanted coral could survive and raised concerns about boat traffic, manatees and other sensitive habitat, according to Spotlight.

State wildlife officials have urged a smaller marina to protect manatees, Spotlight reported. Martin said he had already removed one pier and 30 wet slips and was considering requests for further changes.

Referendum dispute

A residents' lawsuit seeks a countywide referendum on the project. Martin's attorney, Gene Stearns, argued at the presentation that exemptions in Article 7 of the county charter allow the county to proceed without a vote. Spotlight reported that Stearns filed a motion to dismiss on Tuesday.

The plaintiffs contend that the exemptions do not cover submerged land proposed for the marina, WLRN reported. The competing positions are arguments in the dispute, not a court ruling resolving whether a referendum is required.

County Commissioner Raquel Regalado warned that delay could jeopardize the transaction because the existing lease is tied to the former operator's bankruptcy, according to Spotlight.

Next steps

The county is pursuing land-use and zoning changes and a 99-year lease with Resilient Aquarium, an affiliate of Martin's Terra Group. Spotlight reported that commissioners were expected to consider the land-use and zoning changes Nov. 19. A separate lease vote would also be required; its timing was not specified.

Martin's proposed public amenities include a three-quarter-mile waterfront walk, a kayak launch and pocket parks. He also said the Seaquarium's Golden Dome would be restored for public and private events, Spotlight reported.