A 10-acre fuel depot on Fisher Island has become the center of a major Miami-Dade conversation involving PortMiami, waterfront real estate, public cost, and the use of eminent domain.

The issue is complex, but the core question is simple: how does Miami-Dade preserve a critical piece of port infrastructure while also managing public cost and private property rights?

For Miami and Edgewater residents, this is a story worth understanding because PortMiami is one of the region’s most important economic engines, and decisions involving waterfront infrastructure can have countywide effects.

Why the Site Matters

The property at the center of the discussion is a 10-acre site on Fisher Island that includes a marine fuel terminal serving PortMiami.

That fuel facility supports cruise and cargo operations by allowing fuel to be transported by barge from the depot to ships at the port. Reliable marine fueling is part of the behind-the-scenes infrastructure that helps keep PortMiami moving.

The site also sits next to some of Miami’s most valuable waterfront real estate, which is why it has drawn interest beyond port operations. This is part of what makes the issue so sensitive: the property is both strategically important for infrastructure and highly valuable as land.

How We Got Here

In May 2024, TransMontaigne put the Fisher Island parcel on the market.

In September 2025, HRP Group purchased the property for $180 million. After the purchase, the site was targeted for luxury residential redevelopment. At the same time, the marine fuel terminal remained a key operating asset for PortMiami.

That created a direct conflict between two major interests: future private redevelopment on valuable waterfront land and the public need to preserve fuel access for one of Miami-Dade’s most important economic assets.

Who Is HRP Group?

HRP Group is the developer at the center of the sale.

On its website, HRP describes itself as a “vertically integrated, multi-strategy real estate investment firm” specializing in complex redevelopment projects. The company says it has 15 years of industry experience, 23 million square feet owned and in its pipeline, and activity across eight major U.S. markets.

In this case, HRP purchased the Fisher Island site and became a central party in the dispute over the future of the property.

The Proposed County Deal

County administrators negotiated a possible buyback of the Fisher Island fuel-depot property. The reported purchase price was about $400 million.

The idea was to keep the fuel facility in place for PortMiami operations. However, the price and process quickly became a major point of public attention.

Fisher Island groups also challenged parts of the dispute in court, adding another layer to an already complicated situation.

June 2026: The Turning Point

In June 2026, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava rejected the proposed $400 million agreement.

The mayor said the price was too high and that the county needed to protect the public interest. Miami-Dade also said it still needed to preserve PortMiami’s fuel supply.

Around the same time, leadership changes took place. County Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Morales retired, and PortMiami Director Hydi Webb also departed her post.

After the proposed agreement was rejected, Miami-Dade shifted toward eminent domain.

What Is Eminent Domain?

Eminent domain allows government to take private property for public use, with compensation based on fair market value.

In this case, Miami-Dade is pursuing eminent domain to acquire the fuel facility property. The final compensation would be determined through the legal process.

That process can take years, and the outcome is not immediate. The central issue now is how to preserve a critical fuel facility while controlling public cost.

Why Miami and Edgewater Should Watch This Story

This is not just a Fisher Island story.

PortMiami depends on supporting infrastructure, including reliable marine fueling. The Fisher Island site sits at the intersection of port operations, land value, and public cost.

The county is now moving from negotiation toward eminent domain, and the outcome could shape how Miami handles essential waterfront infrastructure in the future.

For Miami and Edgewater residents, this is a reminder that major port and waterfront decisions can affect the broader local economy. Even when an issue is physically located outside our neighborhood, the consequences can reach across the county.

BNA will continue following this story and sharing fact-based updates so residents can better understand the issues shaping Miami and Edgewater.