Miami-Dade County commissioners voted Tuesday to move forward with acquiring the Fisher Island fuel terminal property through eminent domain, escalating a months-long battle over the nearly 10-acre site that serves as PortMiami’s primary fuel supply. The decision comes after Mayor Daniella Levine Cava ended negotiations with the property owner earlier this month over a proposed $400 million acquisition that ultimately fell through.

Commission Overrules Objections

The vote amends the property description for parcels the county intends to acquire, advancing the eminent domain process initially approved by the commission in October. Commissioner Raquel Regalado cast the sole dissenting vote, expressing doubt the county would secure a favorable price and saying, “I hope that we buy a wonderful property at a wonderful price, and it’s good for decades, but I sincerely doubt that.” Her concerns reflect broader questions about the financial risks of the seizure, according to The Real Deal.

How We Got Here

The county has faced sharp criticism for failing to acquire the property when it was on the market. TransMontaigne Partners sold the site to a partnership including HRP Group, the Related Group, and Russell Galbut for $180 million last year — a price well below what the county would now pay. Commissioner Oliver Gilbert acknowledged the county made a mistake by negotiating with the buyer rather than the seller, calling the current situation “nonsensical” and “unforeseeable.”

HRP Group CEO Roberto Perez characterized the county’s move as an “unconstitutional seizure of our property” and said the company plans to develop One Fisher Island, a luxury condo project, on the site. The Fisher Island Community Association and Fisher Island Club have filed separate lawsuits against the county and HRP Group this year.

What’s at Stake

A county memo states that the Port Fuel Facility is essential infrastructure responsible for over $61 billion in annual economic impact and supporting more than 340,000 jobs across South Florida. Attorney Jason Brooks of Buchalter’s Real Estate Group told The Real Deal the county may end up paying “substantially more” than $400 million through the appraisal process, which could drag on for years. The fuel depot will also require costly upgrades to bring it up to code. Fisher Island is considered one of the priciest ZIP codes in the United States, and Brooks noted the wealth on the island means the county is “going to be in for a real fight.” The outcome of the eminent domain proceedings could set an important precedent for future infrastructure acquisitions in Miami-Dade County, where aging port facilities increasingly compete with luxury development for scarce waterfront land.