Key Biscayne backs out of Miami boat show deal

The deal between the village of Key Biscayne and city of Miami settling lawsuits over the Miami International Boat Show appears dead.

The village, which has filed multiple lawsuits attempting to block the move of the show to Miami Marine Stadium Basin and Park, said Wednesday it was pulling out of the deal.

The proposed settlement, released Monday, called for Key Biscayne and Miami to jointly operate the stadium and park, with each municipality paying half the cost of restoring it. Under the proposal, the National Marine Manufacturers Association would have been allowed to use the location for the show in 2016 and 2017, but there was no guarantee for 2018 and beyond.

The Miami City Commission was scheduled to vote on the proposal Thursday, with a vote by the village council potentially coming Friday. Now, it seems the litigation will move forward, the Miami Herald reported.

Key Biscayne Mayor Mayra Peña Lindsay told the paper that the village declared an impasse because “certain demands from the City are simply at odds with the Village’s core values.”

In a statement provided to Boating Industry, NMMA president Thom Dammrich expressed disappointment in the news, but said the show will continue to plan for the show at Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin.

“While it’s unfortunate the mediation between the Village of Key Biscayne and City of Miami has hit an impasse, we believe an agreement that ensures a long-term home for the Miami International Boat Show at Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin is the best path forward, protecting the $597 million in economic activity it generates for the State of Florida each year and generating annual revenue to the City of Miami of over $1 million,” he said. “We will continue to work with City officials to make the site the home of the boat show in 2016 and beyond.”

 

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One Comment

  1. Its the problem of organizing a big event where there is an election going on in the area the Boat Show would go in.

    The outgoing commissioner happened to be an original supporter but then backed away so he could give his wife who is running to replace him the “credit” for convincing him to change his mind.

    Then, this same commissioner had his legal partner assigned and himself appointed to the legal mediation and of course it’ll fail.

    But the Boat Show is moving forward, unless the court agrees to an injunction.

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