Commissioner Explaining Why Virginia Key Has Been Stuck for Years

Keon Hardemon currently serves as a Miami-Dade County Commissioner and previously served as a City of Miami Commissioner and Chairman — which means he was there when the Virginia Key RFP went through the process. In this episode he breaks down exactly what happened, why the deal was recommended twice and still hasn’t moved forward, and why he believes failing to approve it sends a devastating message to every business trying to work in Miami.

He also covers the housing challenges facing neighborhoods like Liberty City and Overtown, why the city was intentionally building housing that pushed out its own residents, the sublease numbers most people haven’t heard about, and why Virginia Key’s waterfront could be one of Miami’s greatest assets if the right project moves forward. Plus his top 3 restaurants.

Vote November 3rd — and know the full story before you do.

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Produced by: Ben Schwede
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benthecreatorrr/

0:00 Intro
1:18 About Keon
1:53 Why He Got Into Politics?
5:33 Coconut Grove Development Pushing Out Locals
9:45 Virginia Key Redevelopment
12:28 Why the City Put Out the Request for Proposal
13:55 People Saying Current Deal is Bad While Current Operator Got His Deal in the 80s
14:44 Gramps Leasing a Small Space to Lazy Oyster for $20,000/mo
18:13 Why Has It Taken So Long to Renovate Miami Marine Stadium
20:55 Manny on Why the Process with Virginia Key is Frustrating and a Bad Look
23:34 Why the City Kept Rejecting the Winning Bid
29:04 What Will Happen If People Vote No on Redeveloping Virginia Key
33:18 Why Keon Hardemon Will Vote Yes on Redeveloping Virginia Key
35:33 Top 3 Restaurants
40:10 Outro