Suntex Marinas Advances Virginia Key Redevelopment Toward Voter Review
After years of public process, litigation, and civic review, the proposed redevelopment of the Rickenbacker and Marine Stadium marinas is moving to Miami voters.
Years in the making. One step closer. Suntex Marinas and its partners have reached an important milestone for the Virginia Key Marina redevelopment after Miami commissioners moved the proposal forward for voter consideration.
The proposal focuses on a privately funded modernization of the Rickenbacker Marina and Marine Stadium Marina area, including marina infrastructure, boat storage, restaurant and retail space, public parking, and improved waterfront facilities.
Projects of this scale are built long before construction begins. They require disciplined advocacy, strong partnerships, and persistence through legal, regulatory, and public decision-making processes.
For H.E.H. Consulting, this is the kind of work that sits at the center of government relations: helping clients navigate complex civic processes, maintain momentum, and turn ambitious visions into viable public outcomes.
The measure reaches Miami voters as Referendum 3 on November 3, 2026, giving residents a direct voice in the next step for one of the city's most significant waterfront opportunities. The proposal calls for more than $80 million in improvements funded entirely by private investment.
As the vote approaches, the conversation has moved into the public square. Robert W. Christoph Jr., president of RCI Group and a partner in Virginia Key LLC, sat down with The Ben Cure Show to walk through the proposal and what Referendum 3 means for the marina's future. A preview of that conversation is included below.