City Harbor: World-class marina in West Palm won't be just for the wealthy and their yachts

City Harbor, the firm hoping to build a marina for the city of West Palm Beach, forcefully defended its plans amid growing opposition to the project and questions about whether a neighboring city supports it.

Much of the opposition to the proposal has focused on fears that a marina along the Flagler Drive waterfront will essentially serve as a dock for the super-sized yachts of the wealthy that block views of and access to the area.

In a letter written to address those and other questions, City Harbor said that's not true.

"Contrary to incorrect reporting, City Harbor is excited to deliver a world-class marina to the waterfront that will provide access not just to the wealthy few, but will provide access to the waters of the state of Florida to all people, especially the underserved," the firm wrote in a statement that was shared with The Palm Beach Post. "This will be done through a mix of curated nonprofits and other vendors providing opportunities for eco-tourism, water taxis, fishing, sightseeing, snorkeling and diving, and children’s education, just to name a few."

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The marina "is not intended to be a private enclave that is gated off from the community, but rather a community asset to be enjoyed by all and a gateway to enjoy the beauty of West Palm Beach’s waterfront and surrounding natural resources," City Harbor wrote.

Mayor Keith James made a similar point on July 10 when he defended the city's decision to begin negotiations with City Harbor for the construction and management of a $16 million marina.

"It is not meant to be exclusive and cutting off the waterfront and cutting off access to the waterfront to the general public," James said of the idea of building a marina.

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James' comments about how the marina — and his pledge that residents will have a chance to weigh in on plans for it before any final decisions are made — have not quelled public opposition to the proposal.

On Friday, West Palm Beach resident Jeffrey Leach did what many others have done in recent weeks: He sounded off on the marina project in an email to a City Commission member.

"I believe developing a marina complex along the downtown waterfront and entering into a long term lease with a developer is not in the best interests of our city," Leach wrote to Commissioner Joseph Peduzzi. "My feeling is very few residents will benefit from it."

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Leach added: "Development would also limit public access and take away the unobstructed views of the waterfront we enjoy today from our walking promenade."

On Saturday, another West Palm Beach resident, Ruth Weimar, wrote James to express her opposition to the marina proposal.

"I hereby request that you stop negotiations with any private enterprise for a new commercial marina or any other commercial development in our public parks," Weimar wrote. "Please also investigate the possibility to permanently protect that area, which will become more important as downtown becomes more crowded."

Did Riviera Beach endorse City Harbor's marina proposal?

Backing from various groups, especially from the firm that puts on the annual Palm Beach International Boat Show, was an important part of City Harbor's pitch to city officials, who mentioned that support when they chose to begin negotiations with City Harbor and not with Safe Harbor, another firm that offered to build a marina along the waterfront.

Now, though, there are questions about one of those endorsements.

In its presentation to the city on June 5, City Harbor included the logo of the city of Riviera Beach among those of groups it said backed its marina proposal.

Riviera Beach City Manager Jonathan Evans, however, has pushed back on the notion that Riviera Beach has endorsed City Harbor's marina plans in West Palm Beach.

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"I'd like to clarify that the city of Riviera Beach was not made aware of City Harbor's plan to build a marina in West Palm Beach until their public presentation was given and subsequently reported in the news," Evans wrote in response to a question from The Post about the marina project. "Any representation of our city's endorsement in this matter was neither communicated with nor approved by us beforehand."

Asked about Evans' comments, City Harbor shared a letter from Riviera Beach Mayor Ronnie Felder.

"I have been asked to provide this letter of recommendation for City Harbor, LLC and its principal owner Ray Graziotto," Felder wrote in a letter dated October 12, 2021, three and a half months after City Harbor made an unsolicited bid to West Palm Beach to build a marina.

Felder explained in his letter that Riviera Beach had chosen City Harbor to manage its marina, which he said was losing money and was not properly maintained or secured.

"That changed within the very first year of their management, and the marina has operated at a profit ever since," Felder wrote. "Additionally, the marina is professionally managed with qualified, uniformed staff, is properly maintained, and to date has become a community asset for our city and its residents."

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Felder closed his letter by writing: "I would highly recommend Ray Graziotto in your efforts to create a first-class city marina in West Palm Beach."

Evans said Felder's letter, which was written on official city of Riviera Beach letterhead and addressed to James, City Commission members as well as to the West Palm Beach city administrator and city attorney, was written "prior to the solicitation process" in West Palm Beach and provided in Felder's "individual capacity."

Efforts to reach Felder were unsuccessful Tuesday.

City Harbor's parent company, Seven Kings, lists Riviera Beach among its marina clients.

Evans, however, said that relationship does not mean Riviera Beach backs City Harbor's plans in West Palm Beach.

"While it's true that we maintain a contractual relationship with 7 Kings, it is crucial to note that this does not imply our automatic endorsement of all their ventures," Evans wrote. "The City of Riviera Beach believes in the importance of transparency and due diligence in all our professional relationships. We regret that we were not informed about this development plan in a more timely and appropriate manner. To address this oversight, we will be engaging the relevant parties involved to ensure improved communication in the future.”

Commissioner: Lack of public involvement in project is main concern

West Palm Beach City Commissioner Christy Fox, whose district includes the area where the marina is to be built, has raised concerns about what she has described as a lack of public involvement the marina project.

That, she said, remains her top concern, not whether City Harbor's proposal has been endorsed by Riviera Beach.

Fox was the lone commissioner to vote against opening negotiations to have a marina built.

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"While endorsements for the project from trusted sources are helpful to offer validation, I believe both proposers have the qualifications and expertise to create a world class marina," Fox said about City Harbor and Safe Harbor. "My primary concern about the marina project remains the lack of public engagement and opportunities for residents to participate in the process, which is the reason I voted 'no' on the motion."

Wayne Washington is a journalist covering West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and race relations at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at wwashington@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: City Harbor defends its plan to build a marina in West Palm Beach