MIAMI — Miami-Dade County commissioners voted Thursday to pursue mediation in the ongoing dispute over the Fisher Island fuel facility — a critical site that powers cruise and cargo operations at PortMiami.
If those talks fail, the county says it’s prepared to initiate eminent domain proceedings to take over the land.
Commissioner Oliver Gilbert said the county won’t hesitate to move forward if negotiations break down.
“If we decide there’s gonna be that we can’t figure out how to make this work for them and for us, then we’ll go ahead automatically, instant eminent domain proceedings,” he said. “We understand that’s a thriving part of our economy. We don’t want to hurt anybody. We have to secure that, people’s jobs.”
Miami-Dade Commissioner Raquel Regalado said she hopes mediation will allow all sides to focus on finding solutions.
“We really wanted to get the administration really focusing on alternatives and I think that was the end result,” she said.
Fisher Island is privately owned by HRP Group, a developer with plans to build luxury condominiums worth about $180 million.
But those plans have drawn concern from port officials and the cruise industry, who warn that losing the site could cripple operations that bring billions to the local economy.
In a letter sent to Miami-Dade commissioners, HRP Group agreed to participate in mediation and temporarily pause its development efforts.
The letter stated, in part, “We are willing to commit to pause our submission of any development applications and any entitlement actions to the county for a period of sixty days, while parties participate in good faith in the voluntary mediation process.”
The move comes amid growing concern from port workers, cruise executives and Miami-Dade’s mayor about what could happen if the site — which houses fuel tanks supplying cruise and cargo ships daily — is lost to private development.
The letter also notes that the previous owner will continue leasing the fuel facility through summer 2027, giving the county more time to identify an alternative location.
Regalado said she’s asking port officials to consider all options, including moving the fuel facility directly onto Dodge Island.
Gilbert emphasized that while the county prefers to reach a deal, it will not hesitate to act if negotiations collapse.
“If we decide there’s gonna be that we can’t figure out how to make this work for them and for us, then we’ll go ahead automatically, instant eminent domain proceedings,” he said.
“We need to make sure this doesn’t happen,” said Joe Capo of the International Longshoremen’s Association union.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava warned the county would face serious consequences if the site is redeveloped.
“Miami would be at an extreme competitive disadvantage if we were to lose access to the fuel,” she said.
The property, which is privately owned, is reportedly being sold to a developer for about $180 million. That developer hopes to replace the fuel terminal with luxury condominiums.
County officials argue the sale could jeopardize an industry that generates an estimated $61 billion economic impact for Miami-Dade County.
Royal Caribbean CEO Jason Liberty previously cautioned that losing the site would disrupt fuel operations vital to the port’s success.
“The proposed sale threatens all of that. No major U.S. home port operates without fuel bunkering,” Liberty said.
Even if the land is sold, officials say the current contract allowing fuel supply operations will remain valid for another two and a half years — giving the county some time to find a potential alternative location.
Attorneys representing the future developers declined to speak to Local 10 News after Thursday’s decision but shared a letter sent to commissioners outlining their position.
County leaders are now expected to begin behind-the-scenes work to prepare for mediation and, if necessary, the next steps toward eminent domain.
The mediation discussion is scheduled for Oct. 20.
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