Upon moving our family to Miami in 1980, my father, Ram Melwani, fell in love with the quaint island community of Key Biscayne. The island life inspired my Dad, a tireless entrepreneur, to explore nearby business opportunities along Miami’s waterfront. In 1983, my dad came upon a listing for the sale of “Marina Biscayne,” a City of Miami leasehold at Rickenbacker Marina on Virginia Key. He struck a deal with the seller and dove head first into operating his first marina.
Success did not come easy, but the marina operation has been a family affair since 1983 and we have persevered through some pretty tough times: Miami’s drug violence of the 1980’s, hurricanes, recessions, and everything in between. We wouldn’t have had it any other way. Adversity has strengthened our family and shaped my character.
I spent summers as a dock hand, learned to drive all kinds of boats and marine forklifts, and eventually took on oversight of the marina’s operations, financials, and regulatory affairs. After graduating law school in 2006, my dad retired and handed me the reins. Operating this business has been my life’s work, and next to raising a family, my greatest passion.
As a Miami native, I understand the vital role that Virginia Key and Biscayne Bay play in our community. The Rickenbacker Marina is a public amenity. Likewise, our waterfront is our most valuable resource, and should remain vibrant and pristine for the enjoyment of locals and tourists alike. We have taken great care in our stewardship of this public land. We have operated transparently, responsibly, and profitably for decades, benefiting the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County. We’ve provided for hundreds of jobs, invested millions of dollars in voluntary improvements to the property, forged strong relationships with local vendors, and undertaken numerous conservation efforts.
Miami has evolved quite a bit since 1983, and we’ve had a front row seat to that progress from across the bay. I like to think that our family operated marina business has been a constant in that sea of change. However, we understand that change is inevitable.
The City of Miami has requested proposals for the redevelopment of Rickenbacker Marina and neighboring parcels. We’ve assembled a remarkable team of world renowned local experts and entrepreneurs with a clear vision for creating new public spaces, enhanced waterfront access, and world class amenities for boaters and pedestrians. At the core of our vision is the belief that Virginia Key is a singular and invaluable public asset held in the public trust for current and future generations to enjoy.
Aabad Melwani, President of Rickenbacker Marina