Miami Voters Will Decide Marina Lease on November 3

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced her opposition to Referendum 3, which proposes a 75-year lease for Virginia Key marina land.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in City Hall

Miami Voters Will Decide Marina Lease on November 3

Live Poll

Should your local government prioritize commercial marina development over preserving public waterfront habitat?

Miami residents will head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to vote on a proposal to lease 27.62 acres of marina land on Virginia Key. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has formally announced her opposition to the measure, citing concerns over public access and environmental risks to Biscayne Bay.

Why it matters

The proposal has become a point of contention between city leadership and developers regarding the future of public waterfront land. The Mayor argues that the project's dredging and development plans threaten the ecological health and community accessibility of Biscayne Bay.

Referendum 3 proposes a 75-year lease of 27.62 acres with an annual minimum rent of $2.2 million and a 6% share of gross revenue. The agreement includes a $80 million commitment from developers for facility upgrades and a total of $204 million in rent increases.

The players

Daniella Levine Cava

She serves as the Mayor of Miami-Dade County and has expressed vocal opposition to the marina development plan.

Virginia Key LLC

This private entity is the developer seeking the 75-year lease agreement for the marina land on Virginia Key.

The details

The ballot initiative followed a unanimous decision by Miami Commissioners in June 2026 to bring the Virginia Key LLC proposal to voters. This move comes after courts determined that the city had previously discarded bidding results in an improper manner.

The Rickenbacker Marina lease officially expired in 2016.
A separate marina proposal was rejected by voters in 2021.
Miami Commissioners placed the referendum on the ballot in June 2026.
Election Day for the marina referendum is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
A lawsuit regarding the bidding process will go to trial in September 2027.

Political Context

Opponents of the project, including environmental advocacy groups, have voiced concerns that the lease terms prioritize private profit over public usage. Dissenting voices argue that the development scale exceeds what is appropriate for the sensitive coastal environment of Virginia Key.

The referendum will directly determine the future landscape of the Virginia Key waterfront and the financial terms of city-owned land leases. Residents should review the full ballot language to understand how the $204 million rent structure and development plans may affect local amenities.

The takeaway

Voters face a choice between long-term financial revenue for the city and potential environmental impacts on Biscayne Bay. Residents should prioritize researching the specifics of the development plan to decide if the proposed amenities justify the length of the lease.