Deal can clear runway to add Watson Island seaplane base

The Miami City Commission is considering legislation to authorize a utilities deal with Miami-Dade County that is necessary for construction of a new seaplane base on Watson Island.

Commissioners are set to vote today (3/10) on approving the utilities deal.

The city owns the man-made island that connects mainland Miami with Miami Beach via the MacArthur Causeway. It leases property to Nautilus Enterprises LLC.

Chalk’s Airline Inc. and Nautilus Enterprises have planned a new seaplane terminal and related businesses on the site for several years.

Today’s resolution would authorize the city manager to negotiate and execute a joinder and consent to the agreement for water and sanitary sewer facilities between the Miami-Dade County Water and Sewer Department and Nautilus Enterprises LLC.

The agreement is “for the provision of water and sanitary sewer services located on a city-owned property at 1000 MacArthur Causeway, Watson Island, necessary for the Construction of the seaplane development, contemplated by the Amended and Restated Air Terminal Facility Agreement dated July 29th, 2014,” says the resolution.

Nautilus Enterprises plans to build a new terminal and hangar and add more parking.

A copy of the proposed agreement between Nautilus and the county says: “The developer intends to construct and connect to the county’s water and sewer systems 30,483 square feet of full service restaurant and 10,209 square feet of airport concourse common area.”

Kobi Karp is the project architect.

Chalk’s began seaplane service to and from the island in the 1920s.

Watson Island is home to several other users that have leases with the City of Miami, including Jungle Island and the Miami Children’s Museum.
The island is also home to Ichimura Miami – Japanese Garden, the Miami Outboard Club, and the Miami Yacht Club.