Citing negative impacts from climate change, Miami-Dade officials may grant a rent break to a politically connected restaurant tenant leasing a county owned waterfront venue.
Hammock Marine Corporation — a company owned by Rodney Barreto, chairman of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission, and Brian May, a lobbyist for several big name developers including billionaires Ken Griffin and Steve Ross — owns and operates Noma Beach at Redfish Grill, as well as a bait and tackle shop, at Matheson Hammock Park at 9610 Old Cutler Road in Coral Gables.
Hammock Marine leases the land underneath Noma Beach and the bait and tackle shop from the county for a base monthly rent of $4,500, plus 8 percent of monthly gross receipts, county records show.
The county commission’s appropriations committee on Thursday was set to vote on a resolution to no longer require Hammock Marine to pay 8 percent of monthly gross receipts.
According to the resolution, Hammock Marine’s “operations are routinely adversely impacted by a variety of unpredictable factors such as king tides and flooded parking lots.” Eliminating the percentage rent requirement would “offer relief to [Hammock Marine] from the impact of the unpredictable factors,” the resolution states.
However, the legislation was withdrawn by its sponsor, county commissioner Raquel Regalado, whose district includes Matheson Hammock Park. In a text message, Regalado said the resolution “needs more work.” She did not provide further comment.
Barreto did not respond to requests for comment, and May declined to comment.
The duo bought Hammock Marine from its previous owner, Charles Hauser, shortly after Hurricane Irma hit South Florida in 2017, state corporate records show. The storm caused extensive damage to the restaurant, at the time known as Redfish Grill, as well as the bait and tackle shop. Hammock Marine’s lease with the county dates back to 1992, according to county documents.
When the county commission approved a lease amendment in 2018, Hammock Marine did not have to pay rent for two years while the company repaired and renovated the restaurant and bait and tackle shop.
The spots reopened in 2020 and two years later, Hammock Marine partnered with Italian chef Donatella Arpaia to open Noma Beach at Redfish Grill, a seafood restaurant that has three dollar signs and a 3.3 star rating on Yelp. Appetizers include a charcuterie board for $42; salads priced between $25 to $37; fish dishes priced between $50 to $57 and pasta dishes priced from $37 to $58.
According to a source familiar with the lease negotiations, the restaurant is struggling, and Hammock Marine’s owners and county staff are in dispute about the monthly revenue threshold that would require the percentage rent to kick in. The source said both sides may negotiate an agreement that provides Hammock Marine with a rent credit based on the percentage of the gross receipts the company has already paid Miami-Dade. If that happens, Regalado’s resolution would not come back for a county commission vote, the source said.
Barreto, a developer who is also a lobbyist, and May have long political ties at County Hall. In the 1990s, the pair aligned themselves with then-Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas, fundraising for his successful campaigns. Both men also raised campaign cash for numerous elected officials who have been county commissioners throughout the years.
For the past 13 years, Barreto has served as chairman of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission. He was reappointed to the post by three governors, most recently by Gov. Ron DeSantis. In addition to Griffin and Ross, May’s client roster also includes 13th Floor Investments, Related Group, Terra, Hyatt Hotel Corporation and Coconut Grove-based Grass River Properties.
