When you call Scotty's Landing, the first thing you hear is the message, "Despite what you may read or hear, we are open." Unfortunately, if the City of Miami gets its way, in less than two months, that recording and Scotty's Landing will be no more.
After a lengthy David and Goliath-like battle with the City of Miami, it looks like Scotty's has lost its epic fight for survival.
A letter posted on the Crespogram Report from Miami City Manager Daniel Alfonso to Scotty's Landing owner Scott Wessel gives the beloved restaurant/bar owner 60 days to pack and go. A city official named in the letter, but who did not want to be identified or quoted, verified that it was indeed sent on August 12, 2015.
In it, Alfonso states that the city is revoking the latest lease agreement between Miami and Grove Key Marina LLC (of which Wessel is the owner) dated January 19, 2013. The letter also served as a 60-day notice, as required by the lease agreement.
The letter also states that a $53,250 guaranty deposit would be returned to Mr. Wessel "after the licensee has vacated the Property without damage to the Property."
Calls to both Scott Wessel and the City's Department of Real Estate and Asset Management, as well as City of Miami chief communications officer Angel Zayon have not been returned.
This might not be the complete demise of Scotty's Landing, however. The Grove Harbour project, the 83,200-square-foot, mega multi-use complex that would consist of restaurants, retail space, a garage, and marina, would replace Scotty's. However, the owners Grove Bay Investment Group have purchased
The project, by the way, has been hotly contested by a vocal group of
Regardless of what may happen with Grove Harbour, there's one certainty. Unless there's a last-minute pardon, the countdown for the demise of Scotty's Landing has begun.