MIAMI – There are some serious changes coming to Watson Island after voters approved a plan that may lead to the closure of Jungle Island.
Local 10 News’ Christina Vazquez spoke to Miami District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo about the pair of voter-approved mixed-use development projects coming to Watson Island’s north and south sides, with a public waterfront boardwalk that will connect both developments.
“The projects coming online now are way better than what was there,” he said. “And it is connecting the whole island as well. The south plan and the north plan, for the first time, has a really good connection.”
For Pardo, the key element is a 15-acre public park that the development team is on the hook to build and maintain.
“The city of Miami will receive a park that is 15.4 acres,” he said. “It will be built by the development team, basically $37 million dollars is being invested by that team into that park. They will also give $2 million dollars a year for the maintenance of the park, so I think it is a huge win. That whole public beach area and connection to the museums like the Frost and PAMM to the inner core.”
The plan also includes adding a ferry service to Miami’s mainland science and art museums.
“The park is state of the art, it is meant to be a passive educational park for the community,” said Pardo. “That hasn’t been done very often in the city of Miami, so we are very excited with what the development team is bringing to the island.”
The new project sits in the footprint of Jungle Island.
The more than 80-year-old attraction began its history in 1936 as Parrot Jungle in Pinecrest, moving to Watson Island in 2003.
“It’s been mainly an event space and it has been slowly operating at lower levels,” said Pardo. “We are basically taking a big chunk of land that is private access now, Jungle Island, and we are giving it to the city of Miami and it will be public, along with the beach, which will provide access to water. The animals at Jungle Island, many of them come from other sanctuaries, so when it is the right time, they will be returned to those sanctuaries. They don’t want to commit or give a specific closing date because they are going to try and operate it as long as possible.”
Also on the site, where Jungle Island’s parking garage currently sits, luxury condominiums will be built.
“An average working citizen couldn’t even afford these condos,” said community activity Grady Muhammad.
Said Pardo: “There will be private residents, luxury residences, that’s really going to help build the tax base for the city of Miami and both development teams have agreed to give $25 million for infrastructure and affordable housing.”
“All these things are always being promised to the voters and then there is unfortunately a bait and switch, the project does not get done like they said.” Said Muhammad. “I never was against the project. We want to ensure that what the voters approved actually is carried out by the developers, the community-benefit agreement.”
Vazquez brought that up to Pardo.
“(Grady Muhammad) did say he is keeping an eye on it to make sure what is promised actually happens,” Vazquez said.
“Well we are keeping an eye on it too,” Pardo said. “I think that is up to all of us, including the commission and the city, but we are committed to it. There is a lot of really important social components, there are folks being hired for labor are coming from transitional programs, from other areas, so there is a strong public benefits package.”
Local 10 News reached out to Jungle Island for comment but has not heard back as of the publishing of this article.
Jungle Island is currently advertising an event that begins later this month and runs through March of 2025, and it remains unclear when they will be shutting their doors.
Watson Island North Side artistic renderings:
Statement from BH3 Management and Merrimac Ventures:
“City of Miami residents have cast their votes, and we’re thrilled that the community shares our vision for creating a vibrant lifestyle destination on Watson Island. Now that voters have supported Watson Harbour, we are eager to work with the City as we bring to life a transformed waterfront along Biscayne Bay.
“In addition to activating Watson Island with residences, hotels, and shopping and dining options, Watson Harbour will deliver new public space, jobs, revenue for the City, and $9 million in funding for affordable housing and infrastructure throughout the City – and we’ll deliver these benefits without taxpayer dollars.
“As South Florida-based firms with deep roots in this community, BH3 Management and Merrimac Ventures share the public’s desire to unlock the potential of Watson Island, and we are committed to making Miami proud.”
Background Points:
- Watson Harbour is a privately-funded, mixed-use development planned for a 10.1-acre site on the south side of Watson Harbour – on land controlled by BH3 Management and Merrimac Ventures
- The project will include a 2.2-acre public promenade along Biscayne Bay, waterfront shopping and dining, two hotels, offices, new residences, and a host of resiliency upgrades
- Additionally, Watson Harbour will contribute $9 million for affordable housing, infrastructure, and other priorities in the city of Miami
- Resiliency upgrades will include a seawall that exceeds base flood elevation standards, native flora and a new tree canopy, LED and solar lighting fixtures, and an on-site stormwater management system
- The team behind Watson Harbour plans to proceed through the zoning and permitting process as quickly as possible over the next year, with a groundbreaking to follow
ADDITIONAL LINKS
Election Results: https://enr.electionsfl.org/DAD/3713/Summary/
DEEPER DIVE: READ THROUGH THE RELATED RESOLUTIONS
JUNGLE ISLAND HISTORY: https://www.jungleisland.com/our-history/