Coconut Grove waterfront project approved by Miami voters

TRD South Florida

Hangar 42 rendering in Coconut Grove

A moribund portion of Coconut Grove’s waterfront is set for a major face lift.

Miami voters approved Grove Bay Investment Group’s proposal to extensively renovate seven waterfront acres in the village during Tuesday’s elections. The developers now have the go-ahead to sign a 50-year lease with the city for the current home of two popular restaurants and the Grove Key Marina immediately north of City Hall.

Grove Bay now must spend $18 million to upgrade the marina and replace Scotty’s Landing and Chart House with three new restaurants, the Miami Herald reported. The project includes the restoration of two historic Pan American Airways hangars. The group plans to construct a promenade connecting South Bayshore Drive to Biscayne Bay.

As part of the agreement, Grove Bay must provide Miami Parking Authority with $5 million to build a three-story parking garage with 40,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space.

Three lawsuits accusing the city of improperly awarding the project to Grove Bay are pending, however. Grove Bay was the only bidder when Miami commissioners approved its proposal in July. [Miami Herald] – Eric Kalis