Will Miami Boat Show Move Hurt Key Biscayne?

MIAMI—The City of Miami wants to convert the public waterfront land to year-round commercial event space, which would include the Boat Show. Key Biscayne's mayor argues that plan would choke off the land and the boat slips from public use and create the potential for a traffic nightmare of epic proportions.

Cathy Rick-Joule, the director of the Miami International Boat Show, says that's just not true. GlobeSt.com caught up with Rick-Joule to hear her defense against the mayor's allegations in part two of this exclusive interview. You can still read part one: Miami Boat Show Director Lashes Back.

GlobeSt.com: There have been reports that the docks being used for the 2016 boat show will damage the environment by letting off Styrofoam into the water. Is this true?

Rick-Joule: This is not true. The Miami International Boat Show is using new docks that are 100% EPA compliant and ensure no Styrofoam enters the environment. The docks are encased in high-density one-piece molded polyethylene tubes that are permanently sealed. This design ensures a water-tight seal and prevents any material from entering the environment.

GlobeSt.com: How is the boat show addressing traffic and access to Key Biscayne for residents during the duration of the event?

Rick-Joule: Boat show organizers have been working with the police and fire departments of Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami and the Village of Key Biscayne to develop a comprehensive transportation plan that will maintain traffic flow for residents, non-boat show attendees visiting Key Biscayne, and for emergency vehicles during the show. In addition to a dedicated lane of traffic in both directions for local vehicles going to and from Key Biscayne, the plan includes using water taxis—which are capable of transporting as many as 25,000 people per day—to transport attendees from offsite parking locations.

Additionally, there are 3,800 parking spaces on Virginia Key that are being used for exhibitors and pre-paid attendee parking, further limiting the amount of cars on the Rickenbacker Causeway. The plan also includes significant marketing, signage and other communication efforts that will ensure attendees, residents and visitors are well-aware of the transportation options to further mitigate any traffic.

GlobeSt.com: Does the boat show plan to move back to the Miami Beach Convention Center?

Rick-Joule: We will continue to work with the City of Miami Beach and the Convention Center during their construction to determine if the new space and layout can accommodate the show. For the foreseeable future, the Miami International Boat Show is looking forward to continuing its 74-year history at Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin, while helping to revitalize a valued community asset by bringing it back to its former prominence as a center for boating activity.