With RCI-Suntex awaiting approval to redevelop a marina owned by the city of Miami on Virginia Key, the current operator of the facility is suing city officials in an attempt to preempt eviction.
According to the realdeal.com, Rickenbacker Marina Inc., is alleging in a lawsuit against the city that Miami’s real estate and asset management office is falsely accusing the company of failing to pay additional monthly rental fees of $100,000 in March and April.
Attached to the lawsuit is a letter dated May 1 from the city office’s director Daniel Rotenberg telling Rickenbacker Marina that the city would seek to end its month-to-month lease contract and remove the company from the property unless the marina operators provide proof that the $200,000 for the two months was paid.
Rickenbacker Marina principal Aabad Melwani declined comment, as did a city spokesperson.
Rickenbacker Marina claims that it agreed to pay the additional $100,000 monthly fee last year and it protested the city’s selection of Virginia Key LLC for the $100 million redevelopment project to expand the marina located adjacent to the site where the Miami International Boat Show is held every year. Virginia Key LLC’s principals include the RCI Group, based in Miami Beach and Dallas-based Suntex Marinas.
