RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. — Riviera Beach voters overwhelmingly approved a plan to allow private businesses to re-develop the city’s marina, bringing in new restaurants and bars into what city officials call an underdeveloped property.
Seventy-four percent of voters gave the go-ahead on Tuesday. Construction will begin in phases, starting in mid-July, to repair portions of the boardwalk and put up new storefronts.
In April, the city will break ground on a new community center on the north end of the property. A new tiki bar also will be installed near the beach.
“In two years time, some of the best restaurants in Palm Beach County will be here,” developer Tony Brown said.
There was some opposition to the idea. A group of residents is concerned the city is giving up control of the popular marina.
The city said it has $26 million in the bank to put toward the project, and estimates a contribution of about $100 million from private developers.