Save Scotty’s Landing in Coconut Grove!?

A select group of Coconut Grove locals, more commonly referred to as “Groveites”, have been fighting to save Scotty’s Landing, the iconic waterfront eatery located within the Grove Key Marina. As it stands, Scotty’s is fated to become a necessary casualty of Grove Bay Investment Group’s planned redevelopment of the Marina. Stopping the redevelopment of the marina on Biscayne Bay has long appeared to be a tough fight, and now that task seems to have become even more arduous as Scott Wessel, the proprietor and namesake of Scotty’s, has agreed to sell the “Scotty’s Landing” name to Grove Bay Investment Group, as well as endorse their plan for the redevelopment of Dinner Key Marina.

Under the proposed redevelopment, tentatively named The Harbour in Historic Coconut Grove, the new Scotty’s Landing is planned to be further inland. But that is not to say that the proposed overhaul of the Marina will be without waterfront dinning options, as Scotty’s will be but one of multiple restaurants within the shopping center, designed by Coconut Grove architectural firm Arquitectonica International.

Up next for the proposed redevelopment, a referendum special election, scheduled for November 5th, in which Miami voters must approve the City leasing the property for a term of 50-years, with two 15-year renewal options, to Grove Bay Investment Group. However the public referendum is not the only current obstacle to the redevelopment of the Marina. Coconut Grove businessman, Steve Kneapler, has recently filed a lawsuit against the City of Miami claiming, amongst other things, that the City failed to uphold and follow its own laws and rules during the Request For Proposals (“RFP”) bidding process. If the litigation is successful, it is likely that the RFP process will be reopened to decide the fate of the 7-acre site.

I am a Coconut Grove resident and have to say that I love Scotty’s Landing. It’s the type of place where you can just “come as you are” and relax while watching the boats pass by. I go there once or twice a week and even entertain clients there. It will be a shame if this Coconut Grove landmark is closed. With Scott Wessel himself endorsing the plan, how likely is it that we will be able to save it?