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HAPPY TIMES

New marina on the horizon

Image provided by Google Maps Happy Landings Marina is scheduled open in late 2023. ROB O’NEAL/Keys Citizen An old, stilted office complex is seen at the sight of the former dolphin show along North Roosevelt Boulevard in 2004. ROB O’NEAL/Keys Citizen Located between the Lions Club and Roosevelt Annex on North Roosevelt Boulevard is the new, 75-slip Happy Landings Marina.

The former home of Flipper’s Sea School along North Roosevelt is set to debut as a boutique marina for boat owners with vessels up to 40 feet in length.

Happy Landings Marina, the brainchild of partners Daniel Robles and Sam Napp, is slated to offer 75 slips with boat lifts, beginning this fall.

The partners, both with private equity backgrounds in South Florida, have positioned themselves and their Tampa-based parent company, American Marina Properties, to launch a group of marinas in “premiere boating destinations around the country.”

According to their website, the Key West project is their first property.

If successful, the property fills a much-needed void in boat storage for the Lower Keys that started with the consolidation of Oceanside Marina and the Key West Harbor Yacht Club.

With those marinas targeting at high-end boat owners, Key West has seen a consistent decrease in affordable boat storage and working waterfront.

Most marinas — wet and dry storage — are fully subscribed, meaning boaters often have to store their vessels on trailers at their homes or on the side of the road. Some boat owners have to keep their craft as far north as Big Pine Key.

The property, which historically housed a marine mammal attraction, was owned by Dr. Richard Walker.

Walker, a long-time Key West obstetrician, had the site permitted as a marina focusing on small boats.

Robles said he and his partner are both very aware of the issues facing boaters in the Lower Keys.

They purchased the location in 2022 for $5.7 million.

“We know it is a drop in the bucket, but it will be 75 more slips available to the public than there are currently,” said Robles.

Plans include boat lifts capable of hoisting boats to 40 feet and 16,000 pounds out of the water.

“The lifts will be owned by the marina and installed based on customer demand, then leased to tenants,” Robles added.

Robles said that his company is not ready to effectuate leases for slips at this time and that rates have yet to be determined.

Plans also call for an office and clubhouse, including two apartments for rent. However, Robles said he didn’t expect that project phase to be completed until the fall of 2024.

Robles said that despite depth constraints leading into the marina basin, they have no plans to apply for dredging permits.

“We haven’t had any issues with water depth — even at low tide — for the size vessels we are targeting,” he said.

For information or to be placed on a waiting list for a slip, visit http://www.happylandingsmarina.com.

ted.lund@keysnews.com