Miami voters reject Rickenbacker, Marine stadium deal
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Supporters of Gramps Getaway watch the election results for Miami's Referendum 3. Photo: Sommer Brugal/Axios
Opponents of a proposal to redevelop the Rickenbacker and Marine Stadium marinas declared victory Tuesday following a heated election cycle that topped a combined more than $3 million in spending from both sides.
Why it matters: The rejection sends a strong message to elected officials that many Miamians are fed up with outside, private development at the cost of local, beloved institutions.
The latest: Miami's Referendum 3 was rejected by more than 65% of the vote on Tuesday, according to unofficial results from the county's Supervisor of Elections.
- The ballot item called for the city to enter into a lease with a private developer to manage and renovate nearly 28 acres of marina properties, adding new docks, boat storage, improved restaurant spaces and a public baywalk.
- The city would receive at least $2.2 million a year in rent during the initial 45-year lease, along with 6% of gross revenues.
Catch me up: In recent months, the ballot item became one of the most-discussed issues locally this election, arguably because of its connection to Gramps Getaway, the beloved marina restaurant.
- In August, owner Adam Gersten took to social media, urging Miami residents to "Save Gramps" by voting "No." His message quickly spread online.
- Within weeks, questions about who gets to call Miami home and who its future is being built for came to the forefront, with Gersten launching information sessions at the restaurant, encouraging folks to canvass and phone bank about the referendum and important election deadlines.
- Local bars organized panel discussions about the city's future, while other local establishments held weekly election series to educate residents about the midterms.
The other side: Those in favor of the proposal argued the deal would revamp the aging marina into a "more active, welcoming waterfront destination" at no cost to taxpayers.
- Developer Virginia Key LLC, in a statement, told the Miami Herald it would "never give up in pursuing" the project.
What they're saying: "What happened with this referendum was nothing short of a miracle, but also not surprising. There are huge environmental stakes [and] a huge sense of loss for our cultural institutions," Gersten told a crowd at Gramps on Tuesday night
- "I think we've all experienced a huge sense of powerlessness for a long time, and what's happening and what happened [here] is a reclamation of our power and that has to continue."
What's next: Moving forward, Gersten told the crowd to "stay energized" and continue fighting for the "soul of Miami."