PROTECT VA. KEY

The Miami City Commission is at it again and made another blatant and disrespectful power grab, this time on Virginia Key.

The Virginia Key Master Plan, approved in 2010, clearly voiced the people’s desire for a public park and against commercialization of the land and water.

But the commission can’t resist the urge to monetize everything, so we had Disney-like marina development touted by the city over an environmentally sensitive plan by the local operator, which is in litigation; a plan for a huge mooring field in the Marine Stadium Basin that paddlers and rowers use; a financial viability study for the Marine Stadium to stall or upset restoration plans; a boat ramp and huge parking lot project next to the Marine Stadium to create more boat traffic for an area already beset by life-threatening accidents and deaths; a massive cement parking lot created for the Boat Show where park greenery was supposed to go; and recently Magic Mike, a male cabaret show, has been installed in front of the historic Marine Stadium.

A week ago the City Commission voted to take over the Virginia Key Beach Trust, which oversees the historic Black beach. This is disrespectful of an established and historical organization, especially since allegations were not proven to be accurate. This selfserving political move was ill-conceived and should not be allowed to stand. The all Black board will now be mostly white Cuban Americans. It should be noted that for decades there has been interest in developing this end of Virginia Key. Recently the city also closed the popular Virginia Key Outdoor Center, freeing up that land for “projects.”

I ask Mayor Suarez to be the voice of reason, to restore the public's trust in good leadership and to veto this egregious action.

– Sunny McLean Coconut Grove