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North Bay Village hears pitch for electric water‑taxi pilot, asks staff to pursue dock options
Summary
Codename Elixir presented an electric, app‑bookable water‑taxi system and asked the commission for dock access, minor dock improvements and shore‑side charging. Commissioners urged meetings with private dock owners and asked staff to return with a feasibility plan.
Codename Elixir, a company proposing an all‑electric water‑taxi network for Biscayne Bay, asked the North Bay Village Commission on Oct. 1 for permission to explore using village docks as part of a pilot that could link Miami, Miami Beach, Coconut Grove and Aventura.
"We're on a mission to develop Miami's all electric water taxi system," Sam Crowley said in a presentation that included 3‑D renderings of a 32‑passenger electric vessel and the company's pre‑electric pilot boats. Crowley said the project requires three near‑term items from any municipal partner: access to a dock, modest floating platforms or covered waiting areas, and shore‑side chargers the size of a Tesla supercharger; he added Elixir would fund the chargers.
Mayor (speaking as meeting chair) framed the idea as part of a longer transportation conversation and told the company the village wanted to be included in regional planning. "I thought that water transport is gonna be an important part of how we get around going forward," the mayor said, urging staff to keep North Bay Village at the table.
Commissioners pressed the company on practical issues: whether Vogel Park was an appropriate pickup site given park closing hours and public‑use conflicts; whether private commercial docks (notably the Continuum/Best Western successor) could host a landing; and how the Jones Act and existing concession or landing fees would affect operations. Village Attorney flagged a recorded covenant on Vogel Park that currently restricts use to law enforcement, meaning long‑term use there could be legally difficult.
Staff direction: the commission asked staff to (1) pursue a meeting between Elixir and Continuum (private dock owner) and report back, (2) research Vogel Park legal constraints and short‑term use as a fallback, and (3) return to the commission with a proposal that includes any necessary agreements and infrastructure needs. Crowley said Elixir could begin a pre‑electric pilot within weeks if a dock is available; the company reported it already has private‑dock agreements in negotiation elsewhere in Miami.
Next steps for the commission include staff negotiations with private dock owners and a report back on legal and infrastructure requirements before any formal agreement is brought to the commission for approval.
