Remarks by Peter Ehrlich
175 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 6 of 7
- Play at 5:54
“How's that? Discussion on the Rickenbacker Marina. As we all know, there was an RFP a number of years ago, and there was a winning bidder with the process was withdrawn by the former city manager. Does anybody have an update on what the status is with the Rickenbacker Marina? and who will be managing the Rickenbacker Marina? Hector, maybe? Anybody? Anybody heard anything pertinent?”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Apr 27, 2026
- Play at 6:41
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Apr 27, 2026
- Play at 7:31
“Oh, it might have been 20 million allocated in the Homeland Bond Fund 12 or 15 years ago with the city of Miami. Hector, do you remember the funding for the museum?”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Apr 27, 2026
- Play at 8:54
“Do you recall the approximate square footage that the architect might be bidding on? I couldn't tell you, to be honest with you.”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Apr 27, 2026
- Play at 9:07
“The director was here, presented to us four or five months ago of the trust, and I think Based on the budget and money that needs to be set aside for operating expenses, the maximum size of the museum would be approximately 11,000 square feet. I think she spoke about that. Anybody who was here recalls? Thank you very much, Hector. Thanks for your help. Any other questions?”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Apr 27, 2026
- Play at 9:57
“Yes, I remember the item first came up almost 20 years ago, and it kept getting vetoed by the city manager, whoever was the city manager of the City of Miami. wouldn't let it go forward because no there was no operating funds available from the city or any other source and that put it like a 15 or 20 year delay on the process so maybe it's it's been rectified yes um so the next discussion item discussion item about the civitas plan for the parking lot areas is i think we all heard several presentations from civitas regarding their proposed plan for the parking lot area. Gary was here.”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Apr 27, 2026
- Play at 11:18
“For a little bit of background, the city of Miami did a request for proposals for a landscape architect designer for the 15, approximately 15 acres adjacent to Marine Stadium. And they hired a firm out of Colorado called Civitas. And Civitas came up with a plan after being paid, I believe, a $900,000 fee. And they came up with a plan for the parking lot area. And the estimate to pay for that plan, the proposed plan, I think was originally $115, $120 million. It was elevated features and covered parking and things for children. And it was, you know, for $115 million, it would have been huge.…”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Apr 27, 2026
- Play at 14:20
“That would be great. Or David Snow, who was quarterbacking it originally. Thank you. Either one would be great.”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Apr 27, 2026
- Play at 14:29
“All right. And then I'd like to talk about a suggestion from Gary Milano. The former aquarium site... And that's in Miami-Dade County, owned by Miami-Dade County, but it's pertinent to all of us because it's adjacent to Virginia Key Park, and it's on the causeway. Gary, can you, you want to suggest?”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Apr 27, 2026
- Play at 15:24
“Even better would be somebody from the county who's handling the relationship between Terra and the county. Whatever works. Yes, that's right. Whoever's got substantial knowledge.”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Apr 27, 2026
- Play at 15:39
“Andres, have you heard anything new about the post-sequarium site?”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Apr 27, 2026
- Play at 21:37
“Well, as board members have been stating, it's a tough threshold to meet quorum, particularly when you've got two city employees who are both directors of their department that don't show up.”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Apr 27, 2026
- Play at 22:12
“So looking on the same point, looking at the board members, I think only one is appointed by a city commissioner. Is that right? The District 2 commissioner appoints one board member of our board, and the mayor has an appointment?”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Apr 27, 2026
- Play at 22:44
“All right. I mean, as Gary brought up, I'd like to point out that the attendance from the You know, the volunteer organizations has been very, very high on this board. Sierra Club, Dade Heritage Trust has been very high. Tropical Audubon UEL. So, yes, I guess there should be a phone call to some board members that don't show up very often to see if they'd like to resign because they're busy and other things. Thank you very much.”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Apr 27, 2026
- Play at 23:23
“I have a last item on the agenda. It's this discussion about the history of Virginia Key Park. I'd like to hear from each of the board members for a minute or two on something that comes to mind related to Virginia Key Park, something that you recall either recently or from years ago that's pertinent to your thoughts on Virginia Key Park. Anybody like to start?”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Apr 27, 2026
- Play at 26:22
“Great. Thank you so much for your thoughts. Absolutely. Nicholas?”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Apr 27, 2026
- Play at 30:32
“I do, thank you so much. I'm looking at an article from Preservation Today on the historic Miami Marine Stadium. This is from 2009.”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Apr 27, 2026
- Play at 30:52
“I was looking for the piece on the deed revision that might be included that Andres was, maybe it's in here. You want to take a look, Andres? But I will make some comments from an email that I received today. And this is from a lady who uses the Miami Rowing Club, who's been at dozens and dozens of our meetings, Leah Kennard. All of you remember her. She spoke to our board many, many times, and she gives us an excellent personal perspective because she actually rows a boat in the Marine Stadium. And she sent me an email today, and it's very interesting. As you all know, for years we had a…”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Apr 27, 2026
- Play at 34:34
“Thank you. Thank you very much. Stephen, that was a good comment to make. My group, the Urban Environment League, we've spoken to one or two very competent applicants and waiting to hear if it's in their schedule. And other groups, too, will have to find applicants for us. I'll continue coming until that takes place. But we also will need a new chair. That can be on the next election for a new chair. And board members can vote for a new chair or keep your current chair for another meeting or two, whichever, whatever board members decide is best. And would anybody like to call for adjournment?”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Apr 27, 2026
- Play at 35:26
“Thank you. Thank you all very much. Thank you, Andres. Thank you all for coming tonight. I know it wasn't easy, but we'll be here in two months.”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Apr 27, 2026
- Play at 0:16
“Good evening. Thank you all very much for attending this Virginia Key Advisory Board meeting on Tuesday, February 24th. We're getting started about 540. We don't have a quorum, but we're going to go through our agenda for discussion, and we'll be finished a little bit early tonight. Rafa, would you like to start with... Lobbyist note or Pledge of Allegiance?”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Feb 24, 2026
- Play at 0:52
“Thank you. Thank you very much. Do you want to do a roll call?”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Feb 24, 2026
- Play at 1:58
“Here. Thank you very much. Are there any requests for absence waivers?”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Feb 24, 2026
- Play at 2:09
“All right. We're going to have it go through the items quickly for discussion because we don't have a quorum. We'd very much like to welcome two new board members, both of whom who showed up at the last meeting. I apologize for that meeting not taking place. Thank you very much for showing up at our last meeting and showing up tonight. We have Chuck Ellis, who's the director of the Parks Department, who's sitting with us tonight, and Andres Rivero, who is an appointee of Mayor Francis Suarez and brings a wealth of information also to our board. Chuck, would you like to say anything?”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Feb 24, 2026
- Play at 3:05
“Thank you so much. Thanks for being here. Andres, any comments? Thank you very much. It's very nice of you to put the time in and I know you're a busy attorney. On the meeting dates, we're here on February 24th and it looks like the next meeting is, is that right? April 28th?”
Virginia Key Advisory Board · Feb 24, 2026