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The Miami Beach City Commission voted Wednesday night to award a 10-year contract to beach concession operator Boucher Brothers to take over the Nikki Beach day club when its lease with the city expires in 2026.
The 4-3 vote was settled by a tip from City Manager Alina Hudak last week and concluded months of debate and controversy over the future of the coveted beachfront assets at 1 Ocean Drive.
Mayor Dan Gelber and Commissioners Ricky Arriola, David Richardson and Kristen Rosen Gonzalez candidacy the Boucher brothers.
“Deep down I know it’s a fair process,” Richardson said.
Arriola, who was the first to propose that the Boucher brothers take over the site, said the city faces “a lot of unfair criticism” from Nikki Beach’s owners.
“I think it’s a no-brainer and today I’m proud of it,” Arriola said.
Laura Domínguez, Alex Fernández and Steven Meiner.
Those who voted “no” focused their attention on the process, adding that the committee’s attention on a no-takeover deal will be offered early this year. Some advocated delaying the vote to get more public comment.
“It’s a textbook case: If we had followed the procedure from the beginning, I don’t think we would be in this situation now,” Meiner said.
READ MORE: Miami Beach City Manager Recommends New Provider for Nikki Beach Site
The vote directs the city to negotiate the main points of a lease or concession agreement with Boucher Brothers. The contract would go back to the City Commission for final approval.
Any leases would also have to be approved by polling place citizens within a one-mile radius of assets, according to a provision in the county’s public parks statutes. The assets functioned as a park before the day club took over.
For months, Nikki Beach owner Lucia Penrod argued that the city’s procedure was rigged in favor of Boucher Brothers, which has operated rentals throughout the city’s beach for decades.
On a Tuesday to a resident who opposed awarding the contract to Boucher, Gonzalez explained his thinking.
“I go with the guys from our hometown. They have been very smart about our city,” he wrote. “The economy is not about capital. “
In a text message Wednesday to the Miami Herald, Gonzalez said he was “happy that our ‘guys from our city’ won the nomination,” based on the main points of his candidacy.
“They won the candidacy and I am pleased to vote for them,” she said.
Gelber said he follows Hudak’s recommendation, as he does with almost all candidates, to avoid undue influence from elected officials.
“I say, ‘What’s your recommendation?’And I’m going to do it,” he said.
The Boucher brothers’ 10-year proposal envisions annual spending for the city of 10% of annual gross revenue, or at least $4 million per year, expanding to 3% annually.
Boucher’s proposal would spend $26 million to renovate an existing construction on the site. The redesign would include a swimming pool, wellness center and spa, a “children’s corner” and a beach concession area, according to tender documents. It would also come with Sadelle’s Restaurant as part of a partnership with Major Food Group.
A committee reviewing proposals to operate a “premier beach club” at the Boucher Brothers gave top marks earlier this month, rating the company first among three bidders for a 10-year contract and tying for first with restaurant company The Group. bidders for a 30-year deal.
Miami Beach officials last week released the full proposals submitted through Boucher Brs and 3 bidders: The Group, RH (formerly known as Restoration Hardware) and Tao Group Hospitality.
Hudak and several commissioners have said they prefer a 10-year deal to a 30-year one rather than being stuck on a specific, long-term use.
The procedure leading to the award of the bid was fraught with tensions and legal conflicts.
In April, the city commission voted in favor of a nonbinding agreement with Boucher and paved the way for an agreement imaginable without an offer. The resolution sparked a public outcry and the commissioners withdrew their vote, ordering staff to instead consider a request for proposals for the assets and adjacent beach.
Nikki Beach sued the city in May and later filed an official protest opposing its offer. But their own offer was ultimately ignored, after the municipal government said they had not submitted it on time. Penrod says there was a challenge in the system.
The restaurant and day club is a popular party and relaxation spot on the southern edge of town. It has been operating on city land under a series of agreements since 1985. The club will pay the city about $1 million each year. calculated as 6. 5% of gross revenue.
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