Riviera Beach marina debate

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. - Riviera Beach council members are looking to bring in money for the city.

The councils wants to lease a portion of its marina which would limit use for municipal boat storage.

"We want to generate revenue because we have a lot of improvements that need to be made over in that area," said Shelby Lowe, Riviera Beach Councilman.

The city clerk says a group opposed the idea and collected enough signatures to put the measure on the November ballot.

If voters approve, the southern portion of the marina will be leased commercially forcing current boat owners to move farther north.

Space in the northern area would probably be limited and the current dry storage now available to the public would be gone.

"It's a public marina. I'm a little disappointed the city is wanting to do that," said Bryan Chastain, a boat owner.

Palm Beach County Commissioner Priscilla Taylor says the marina is valuable property for Riviera Beach residents.

"The people have spoken that they want it on the ballot that now we will get a true decision from the people of Riviera Beach whether they want the marina or not," said Taylor.

Commissioner Taylor also says the way the lease is drafted now the developer would have the most to gain.