Local

Melbourne leaders to discuss Margaritaville riverfront complex

MELBOURNE, Fla. — Plans for a new hotel, marina and event venue are taking shape in the city of Melbourne.

The proposed Margaritaville Marina and Riverwalk will consist of a seven-story, 146-room hotel, restaurant, a 221-slip marina and event lawn.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

The new marina and riverwalk will be built on what is now a vacant lot along U.S. Route 1, just north of NASA Boulevard.

See map of location below:

Read: Groups file lawsuit against DeSantis over new congressional redistricting maps

Melbourne mayor Paul Alfrey said the proposal is a win for the city.

“This is an amazing development for the city of Melbourne. You’re looking overall with the marina concept and Margaritaville probably upward of an 80-90 million dollar project with the hotel, the restaurants, the lawn, the boat slips. This is going to be an amazing development,” Alfrey said.

Read: Palm Bay shooting victim says car was destroyed by police while collecting evidence

Alfrey said the project could actually improve stormwater runoff issues along part of the Indian River Lagoon.

“This is an area where there’s little stormwater protection. Everything flows into the lagoon. Everything will be kept on-site, up to the new codes and actually, the developer has gone far beyond what he needs to address stormwater and flooding.”

Read: Are investors driving Central Florida’s housing crisis?

It will be up to the city council to decide if they will allow for additional building height and a conditional use request to allow for the new marina.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Matt Reeser

Matt Reeser, WFTV.com

Matt Reeser joined WFTV in 1998 as a news photographer and has worked for television stations in Kentucky and West Virginia.