{"id":2391,"date":"2026-06-29T09:01:36","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T09:01:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/floridamovingchronicle.com\/?p=2391"},"modified":"2026-06-29T09:01:36","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T09:01:36","slug":"is-miami-beach-getting-a-new-marine-science-hub-north-beach-residents-hope-so","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/floridamovingchronicle.com\/?p=2391","title":{"rendered":"Is Miami Beach getting a new marine science hub? North Beach residents hope so"},"content":{"rendered":"<article><!-- --><!-- --><!-- WPS-5038 -- removed the script from WPS and added the placeholder for trinity player --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- CONTENT --><!--[--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>A city-owned oceanfront property in North Beach could be transformed into a marine science center under a proposal backed by residents and advanced by the Miami Beach City Commission last week.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/floridamovingchronicle.com\/?p=2389\">This South Miami chocolate shop was just named one of the best in the country<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>Commissioners voted 7-0  to direct city staff to invite nonprofit, educational or marine science organizations to come forward if they\u2019re interested in operating a community-focused marine learning center on the property at 7605 Collins Ave.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis has been in discussions for a long time,\u201d said Commissioner Alex Fernandez. \u201cProbably over a year ago, residents started approaching us with this idea, and now it\u2019s getting to an exciting point where we\u2019re actually putting out a solicitation to see what organizations may be interested in making this vision a reality.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>The proposal stems from years of advocacy by nearby residents who opposed a previous owner\u2019s request to rezone the property for commercial uses, which could have allowed businesses such as restaurants or daycare centers. They instead pushed for an educational use of the oceanfront property.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>\u201cPeople wanted to preserve the character of the neighborhood,\u201d Fernandez said. \u201cThey wanted a calm area where families can walk to the beach and enjoy the park.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>The city acquired the property in 2025 for $6.53 million. The roughly 7,000-square-foot lot includes a 3,046-square-foot historic home adjacent to Altos Del Mar Park. When approving the acquisition, commissioners directed staff to reimagine the site for recreational and public use.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>Antonio Lopez, 67, who lives across the street from the property, said residents have spent the past year meeting and discussing potential uses for the building.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe vision was to establish a small-scale, education-focused hub,\u201d Lopez said. \u201cThe key is to foster community awareness, youth engagement and environmental stewardship.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!--[--><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>Lopez said he wants the center to focus on educating young people about the area\u2019s marine ecosystems while also serving as an attraction for visitors.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/floridamovingchronicle.com\/?p=2387\">A billionaire tax is on the ballot in California. How could that affect Miami?<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor younger generations as they come up, they really will understand what a paradise we have,\u201d Lopez said. \u201cAnd that this paradise can continue as long as we\u2019re sensitive to how we need to care for it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>During Wednesday\u2019s commission meeting, Commissioner David Suarez noted that North Beach currently lacks a facility dedicated to marine science and environmental education.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s not enough educational projects in North Beach, and this would be a great start,\u201d Suarez said. \u201cAnd what a great way to honor our marine life habitat.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>Fernandez said the goal is to find a partner willing to fund and operate the facility without relying on city dollars.<\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat we\u2019re offering is an incredibly valuable oceanfront asset,\u201d he said. \u201cThe city\u2019s contribution would be making that property available to a partner willing to invest in creating a premier marine science education center.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>If successful, Fernandez believes the project could become both a community resource and a tourism draw for North Beach.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><!--]--><!--[--><\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt could be transformative,\u201d he said. \u201cNorth Beach could become the heart of marine science education in Miami Beach.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/floridamovingchronicle.com\/?p=2385\">Unwanted kisses and foot massages: Why a Broward nurse is suspended, state says<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!--]--><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><!-- --><\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The city of Miami Beach, Florida, is making plans for a marine science center at 7605 Collins Ave., creating a community education hub in North Beach.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2390,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2391","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-miami-beach"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Is Miami Beach getting a new marine science hub? 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