Riviera Beach Launches New Bid for Premier Waterfront Entertainment Complex

Waterfront Vision Revitalized: Marina Village's Second Chance

Riviera Beach is breathing new life into its ambitious waterfront development plans following the collapse of a high-profile Margaritaville resort project. The city's Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has officially reopened the bidding process for developers interested in transforming the prime 90-acre Marina Village site along the Intracoastal Waterway into a vibrant mixed-use entertainment destination.

Posted this week on Bidnet Direct, an online government contract platform, the request for qualifications (RFQ) represents a fresh start for a location that has experienced significant development setbacks. The CRA is specifically seeking partners capable of designing, financing, constructing, operating, and maintaining a comprehensive project featuring restaurants, entertainment venues, and hotel accommodations—all to be developed through a public-private partnership model.

"This location represents one of the last significant waterfront development opportunities in Palm Beach County," a source familiar with the project told us. "The potential for creating a landmark destination that serves both tourists and local residents is extraordinary, especially with the site's existing marina infrastructure and waterfront access."

Previous Development Plans Washed Away

The renewed bidding process comes after a significant setback in the site's development timeline. Previously, the CRA, under Executive Director Gedel Merzius, had been in advanced negotiations with Atlanta-based APD Solutions. The developer had proposed an ambitious five-story development featuring 150 hotel rooms, an 875-space parking structure, and 225,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space—all under the popular Margaritaville brand associated with the late music icon Jimmy Buffett.

These plans dramatically collapsed in November 2023 when Margaritaville representatives informed Riviera Beach officials that no formal agreement existed between their company and APD Solutions for such a project. Following this revelation, APD's attorney issued a formal apology to the city, attributing the miscommunication to a "draft letter" accidentally sent prematurely, according to reporting by WPTV News Channel 5.

This incident represents a cautionary tale about the complexities and potential pitfalls in large-scale waterfront development projects, particularly when involving major branded partnerships. The resulting delays have cost the community valuable time in developing what many consider to be a centerpiece of Riviera Beach's economic revitalization strategy.

Residential Development Forges Ahead

Despite the entertainment complex's delays, residential development in the Marina Village area is advancing steadily. Two significant projects by Miami-based Related Group are moving forward, bringing much-needed housing options to the area.

The first project, Residences at Marina Village by Related Urban (Related Group's affordable housing division) and Riviera Beach-based Tezral Partners, will break ground later this year. This eight-story development will deliver 149 workforce housing units, addressing critical housing needs for middle-income residents in an increasingly expensive coastal market.

Following this, a more ambitious luxury residential project called Gallery at Marina Village will rise on a 2.5-acre portion of the site where Related Group has secured a 99-year lease. This 20-story joint venture between Related Group, Tezra, and Aventura-based BH Group will add 418 market-rate apartments to the area, significantly increasing the local residential density and creating a built-in customer base for future commercial developments.

"The combination of workforce and market-rate housing creates a more sustainable community mix," noted a local real estate analyst. "Having residents already in place will make the commercial components more viable by providing consistent foot traffic and patronage."

Timeline and Next Steps for Entertainment Complex

The CRA has established a clear timeline for moving forward with developer selection for the entertainment portion of Marina Village. Prospective developers will have the opportunity to participate in a pre-bid conference scheduled for May 19, 2025, where they can gain additional insights into the project requirements and the city's vision.

The deadline for submission of formal proposals is set for June 27, 2025, giving interested developers approximately six weeks to prepare comprehensive development concepts. This timeline suggests the CRA is eager to maintain momentum and select a qualified partner before the end of summer 2025.

Industry experts anticipate significant interest in this opportunity, particularly from developers specializing in waterfront and entertainment-focused projects. The site's existing amenities, including the adjacent event space building, the popular Rafiki Tiki Bar & Grill, and the functional marina, provide an established foundation upon which to build a cohesive entertainment destination.

Economic Impact and Community Benefits

The redevelopment of Marina Village represents far more than just a real estate opportunity—it's a potential economic catalyst for Riviera Beach. According to regional development statistics, successful waterfront entertainment complexes can generate substantial tax revenue, create hundreds of permanent jobs, and significantly increase tourism spending in surrounding areas.

Similar projects in Florida coastal communities have shown average increases of 15-20% in local business revenue following the completion of mixed-use waterfront developments. Additionally, properly executed projects typically create between 250-400 permanent positions, not including temporary construction jobs during development.

For Riviera Beach, a community that has struggled with economic challenges despite its prime waterfront location, this project could represent a transformative opportunity to reposition itself within Palm Beach County's competitive tourism and entertainment landscape.

Insights on Riviera Beach Development

What caused the collapse of the previous Margaritaville development plan?

The previous development plan collapsed when Margaritaville informed city officials that no formal agreement existed between their company and the proposed developer, APD Solutions. This communication breakdown revealed a fundamental issue in the project's foundation, forcing the CRA to restart the development process.

How will this development affect local property values?

Based on comparable waterfront developments in Florida, successful projects typically increase surrounding property values by 10-15% within three years of completion. For Riviera Beach homeowners, this could represent significant appreciation in property equity, though it may also raise concerns about affordability for long-term residents.

What types of businesses are likely to thrive in the new entertainment complex?

The most successful tenants in similar waterfront developments tend to be experiential restaurants, water-activity providers, boutique retail shops, and entertainment venues that capitalize on the waterfront setting. We can expect a mix of local operators and established regional or national brands that complement rather than compete with existing Marina Village businesses.

How will parking and traffic be managed with the increased development?

Any selected developer will need to address comprehensive traffic management and parking solutions, likely including structured parking similar to the 875-space garage previously proposed. Smart mobility solutions, water taxi services, and improved public transportation connections will be essential components of a successful proposal.

What environmental considerations must developers address?

Florida's waterfront developments face stringent environmental regulations, particularly regarding stormwater management, sea-level rise resilience, and protection of marine ecosystems. Successful proposals will likely incorporate sustainable design elements, renewable energy systems, and state-of-the-art water management solutions to protect the adjacent Intracoastal Waterway.

As Riviera Beach moves forward with this renewed effort to develop Marina Village into a premier waterfront destination, the community stands at a crossroads between ambitious development and practical execution. The lessons learned from the Margaritaville setback may ultimately strengthen the process, ensuring that the next selected developer brings not just vision, but the concrete capabilities to transform this waterfront gem into the destination it deserves to become.