Riviera Beach Marina Project - Cruise Ship Port? (Miami, Jupiter: real estate, how much)

[cheriex333]

Hi Everyone - Following-up on a post from a few months ago about the Riviera Beach Marina project. Got a wind that a later phase of the project will include a cruise port, does anyone know about that?

According to the newspaper (Ground-breaking today on Riviera Beach marina redevelopment | www.palmbeachpost.com), it's only going to be 26 acres, that seems REALLY small to make much of an impact and to accommodate cruise ships (not to mention the sea wall would need to be rebuilt). When I first heard wind of the project, it seems like a huge improvement to bring some retail shops, a promenade, and jobs to the area, but I wonder how much of an impact it can make being only 26 acres?

Any thoughts on this project and whether it will be a positive impact for the community?

[City Guy997S]

This will be a colossal disaster......corrupt politicians and the empty storefronts will be as common as the empty promises yet the city will be on the hook for millions! No cruise ship has made it out of the port long term so far and the city of Riviera Beach is a ghetto.

Need an example.....look at their beach project they did 2-3 years ago. 2 bars/restaurants, a tourist junk store and a 7/11 are the only long term tenants and that stuff was there before they knocked the old place down. Millions spent with no real return.

[cheriex333]

Yikes!!! I wasn't aware there was a previous (failed) effort to improve the Riviera area.
While driving through I saw a FREE HIV testing sign (uh-oh). The place can be made so much better. Location-wise, it's ideal with downtown, marina, and Jupiter surrounding.

[FloridaHawkeye]

Healey had planned a 2.4 billion ( yes: 2.4 billion) project back in 2006. He wasn't able to get the prices he wanted from home owners and wanted to invoke eminent domain. But Bush blocked it. Give the guy an A+ for persistence. I think the original planned might have had legs to work (big $$ tied with the eminent domain). Not sure how this current project will work.

Riviera Beach developer withdraws purchase offers | StAugustine.com

[Balkins]

Come to think of it, 26 acres is very small. There is one cruise ship there now, but maybe one more could work. It will never approach the level of the Miami Port which carries millions of passengers every year. The Miami port is also one of the business ports in the WORLD and aka as:" Cruise Capital of the World!"

From what i can see (looking at the topography) Palm Beach will only be able to to attract a few Gambling or MAYBE one more short trip cruise liner to the Bahamas.

PS. Not to mention the political forces that don't want the Port to expand (Big $ from the "Palm Beach ISLAND" residents).

LINK

[City Guy997S]

Riviera Beach will barely be a viable commercial port, forget a major cruise ship terminal.

1. Real estate is too pricey
2. Neighborhood is too dicey
3. Not enough neighboring hotels (cruise passengers need hotels for the night before/night ending a cruise)
4. Palm Beach pressure
5. Corrupt city council

[Balkins]

Originally Posted by City Guy997S

Riviera Beach will barely be a viable commercial port, forget a major cruise ship terminal.

1. Real estate is too pricey
2. Neighborhood is too dicey
3. Not enough neighboring hotels (cruise passengers need hotels for the night before/night ending a cruise)
4. Palm Beach pressure
5. Corrupt city council

Interesting...i guess those council idiots think their sitting on the next gold rush and they want to make someone pay a premium for parking their boat there. They should have left Viking alone...and be Glad someone is willing to develop that land.

Me thinks that it will only be good for super large yacht repair center----that's it. Maybe 1 Gambling Cruise ship that goes out for 1 night and returns the next day. Physically impossible to put much more. Its not government cut...that's for sure.

Could create some jobs for the locals buts that's about it.