Iconic Attractions Group manages Jungle Island. Other neighbors call Star, Palm and Hibiscus Islands home. The placement of the hotel on the footprint of the existing two-story garage was determined to have the least impact on views from neighboring islands, they said. Jungle Island representatives said they’ve met multiple times with neighbors and kept them in the loop as the hotel design evolved. Some nearby residents, particularly on the Venetian Islands, have been critical of additional development plans for Watson Island, which connects the City of Miami to Miami Beach.Īdded traffic and impacting view corridors are principal concerns raised. Commissioners are expected to discuss the issue May 10.Ī similar plan discussed last year was deferred in July to afford ESJ more time for community outreach.

Park officials hope to get the proposal on the August ballot. The city charter requires that a referendum approve any sale or lease of city-owned waterfront. The city leases the land at 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail to ESJ JI Leasehold LLC.

The owners of Jungle Island plan a long, slender hotel designed like the curves and cascading balconies of a cruise ship, only smaller, as a key to a multi-million-dollar redevelopment of the animal theme park on city-owned Watson Island.Ĭity of Miami voters will be asked to approve the hotel as part of a proposal extending the lease of ESJ Capital Partners.

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