Commission approves ‘Eco Resiliency’ plan for Watson Island with 13.2‑acre public waterfront park

The Miami City Commission on Oct. 23 approved amendments to the Jungle Island Special Area Plan, now renamed the Eco Resiliency Special Area Plan, permitting a phased development that would include two residential towers up to 48 stories, up to 600 residential units and a pledged 13.235‑acre public waterfront park.

The commission also approved a development agreement to govern build‑out, public‑park obligations and related entitlements for property at 1111 MacArthur Causeway, commonly referred to as Watson Island. The plan, as described by planning staff, modifies transect zoning to allow taller, higher‑density development on a portion of the island in exchange for a large public park and other public benefits.

What the plan includes: Planning documents reviewed during the hearing describe the project as a phased development with a maximum of two towers (48 stories), up to 600 residential dwelling units, associated amenities and up to 25,000 square feet of retail. The total combined maximum floor area proposed in filings is roughly 2.8–2.9 million square feet; the SAP also requires a 13.235‑acre waterfront park and modifies applicable transect‑zone regulations where specified by the SAP.

Why it matters: The proposal repurposes state‑granted waterfront land and would place substantial new residential capacity on Watson Island while designating a large new public park on the property — an exchange that supporters said locks in a long‑promised public waterfront space and opponents said risks placing high‑rise development on a site voters had expected to see preserved.

Public comment and debate: Public speakers raised concerns that earlier ballot materials and campaign materials had not clearly depicted the possible tower heights and density. A member of the public cited ballot advertising and large campaign expenditures tied to the measure’s earlier approval and urged commissioners to treat parks as “sacred ground” rather than vacant lots for vertical development. Planning staff and the applicant said the SAP balances higher density in limited areas with a substantial publicly accessible waterfront park and other conditions.

Formal outcomes: The commission approved the SAP amendment (PZ‑8, as amended) and the related development agreement (PZ‑9). The vote passed after a public hearing and was recorded on the city docket; the development agreement will now be executed in a form acceptable to the city attorney and applied to the properties described in staff materials.

Next steps: The city manager was authorized to negotiate and execute the development agreement consistent with the terms approved by the commission. Staff said final permits, site plans and any additional regulatory reviews required by Miami 21 and other city codes will follow the SAP and development agreement approvals.