After all of the debates, referendums and failed compromises on cruise ships in Key West, a group of local investors, spearheaded by restaurateur Bobby Mongelli, have received final approval for a state submerged land lease and Monroe County’s green light for one of the world’s largest cruise ports beginning February 2023 on Stock Island, just outside of Key West.
“We saw an opportunity and we seized the moment,” said Mongelli, who owns several popular Stock Island restaurants. “We’ve purchased the stretch of land leading around the channel and up to Robbie’s Marina, which will become one of the largest tourist attractions in America.”
While many of the plans remain undisclosed, the Keys Weekly has learned that much of the surrounding sea bottom, including a large sandbar leading in from the Atlantic to the Safe Harbor Channel, will be dredged to create enough room for some of the world’s largest ships. As of now, unconfirmed reports indicate that The World cruise ship and Queen Mary II are already conducting negotiations. Mongelli also said he would be thrilled to welcome the Virgin Voyages and Disney ships.
“I’ve always said, if you’re going to be a bear, be a grizzly,” said Mongelli. “We want 3,000 passengers per ship filling our docks. And the best part? We’ll keep them right here on Stock Island.”
Developers plan to construct a port facility that is equipped to occupy passengers for hours, all within a half-mile radius. Initial renderings include a water park, high-end store fronts from major retailers across the globe and chain restaurants similar to Applebee’s, Ruth’s Chris and the Cheesecake Factory.
According to state and county officials, over 14 large cruise ships will be approved to enter the harbor each day, which could dump more than 42,000 daily tourists onto Stock island.
It is not clear how the current cruise ship debate, which has made headlines for over two years, will affect the current Stock Island project, but many believe Key West officials and residents will have no say in what appears to be a county initiative.
“One man’s junk is another man’s treasure,” said Lower Keys Chamber president Steve Miller. “You snooze, you lose. Key West has spent countless months debating what to do about cruise ships, so we settled the issue for them. Now cruisers can sail right into Stock Island, grab a scooter, buy some t-shirts in Key West and be back in time to depart for the next stop.”
The final steps for a $35 million pump station and fuel docks are still being completed, but officials believe the port will be ready to receive ships in January 2023. State, county and city officials, in addition to several others the Keys Weekly has contacted have declined to comment about the project. Other than Bobby Mongelli.For more on this story and other special April 1 breaking news, please visit www.keysweekly.com.
