FYI Miami: November 20, 2025

AQUARIUM HANDOFF: Miami-Dade should assign the lease of the Seaquarium on Rickenbacker Causeway to Resilient Aquarium LLC, which is 100% owned by major local developer David Martin, the CEO of Terra Acquisitions Florida, a county committee voted last week without comment. If the county commission approves, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava would negotiate an amended lease and bring it to the commission for approval. On Oct. 17, a bankruptcy court approved assignment of the lease from MS Leisure to Resilient. Site improvements are to include an accredited aquarium with no marine animals, immersive experiences that emphasize Biscayne Bay’s environment, a research center, a marina and fisherman’s village, preservation of the Buckminster Fuller seaquarium dome, a marina, parking, and public green areas. At least $100 million must be spent on project development. 

FINANCIAL STORM: “There may be a need to adopt a new general obligation bond” to fund the capital projects that Miami-Dade is now slow-walking in the face of actions at the state level that have eaten into county revenues, Carladenise Edwards, the county’s chief administrative officer, told the Appropriations Committee last week. “We have to find new revenue sources, different revenue sources, as well as expedite the efficiency initiatives that the mayor put forth,” she said in updating the committee on the county’s fiscal status. She said updates are going to come more frequently – monthly instead of quarterly, “so that you’re not blindsided at the end of the fiscal year.” She cited state and federal funding cuts, unfunded mandates that require county spending, the cost of new constitutional offices “and slow property tax growth with the threat of property taxes being eliminated…. It’s almost creating the second perfect storm.”

VACANCIES REPORT: The mayor’s office would provide Miami-Dade commissioners a detailed monthly report on vacancies of county jobs that are funded in the budget under legislation that the county’s Appropriations Committee sent to the full commission last week. The resolution from Sen. René García says that the report will “allow for more informed fiscal planning and ensure that the financial implications of such positions are given appropriate consideration.” The report is to list for each job the department, division and funding source and the length of time that the position has been open and vacant. The first report would be due by Jan. 1.

GAS PRICE RISES: Average gas prices in Miami rose 8.8 cents per gallon last week to $2.96, according to GasBuddy. Prices are 0.7 cents higher than a month ago but 16.6 cents lower than a year ago. 

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