Miami Beach Leaders Challenge State Bills Enabling Fontainebleau Water Park

City officials and residents argue the proposed legislation undermines local control and historic preservation.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Miami Beach city leaders are publicly opposing two state bills, House Bill 399 and Senate Bill 208, which they claim could pave the way for the Fontainebleau hotel to build a water park without local approval. Residents and officials argue the measures threaten historic preservation and remove essential control from the city, while the hotel development group maintains the statewide legislation is a separate policy initiative.

Why it matters

The proposed bills have sparked a clash between state lawmakers and Miami Beach's local government, with the city accusing the Fontainebleau of collaborating with the state to bypass the city's review process for the water park project. This highlights the ongoing tension between state and local control over development decisions, especially in historic areas like Miami Beach.

The details

Miami Beach officials, including Mayor Steven Meiner and Commissioner Alex Fernandez, are publicly challenging the two proposed state bills, which they say could undermine the city's ability to regulate the Fontainebleau's water park plans. The hotel development group had previously deferred its water park request after a large turnout of residents opposed the project at a Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board meeting in February. Now, the city and residents argue the state bills would allow the Fontainebleau to circumvent the local approval process.

  • In February 2026, the Fontainebleau hotel development group deferred its water park request after a large turnout of residents opposed the project at a Miami Beach Historic Preservation Board meeting.
  • House Bill 399 has passed the Florida House and will now advance to the Senate for a vote.
  • Senate Bill 208 has been placed on a special calendar for consideration by the Florida Senate.

The players

Steven Meiner

The mayor of Miami Beach.

Alex Fernandez

A Miami Beach city commissioner.

Alicia Casanova

The vice president of the Mid-Beach Neighborhood Association.

Fontainebleau

The hotel development group that is proposing to build a water park in Miami Beach.

House Bill 399

A proposed state bill that could enable the Fontainebleau water park project.

Senate Bill 208

A proposed state bill that could enable the Fontainebleau water park project.

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What they’re saying

“Miami Beach is not for sale.”

— Steven Meiner, Mayor of Miami Beach (CBS News Miami)

“The Fontainebleau asked for a deferral at the local level, and then just days before the end of the state's legislative session, they slipped the amendment into an unrelated bill, hoping nobody would notice.”

— Alicia Casanova, Vice President, Mid-Beach Neighborhood Association (CBS News Miami)

“Its sweeping consequences could be irreversible for our community—from as far west as the Everglades, the River of Grass, where it would weaken protections on our natural resources, to as far east as Miami Beach.”

— Alex Fernandez, Miami Beach Commissioner (CBS News Miami)

What’s next

House Bill 399 has passed the Florida House and will now advance to the Senate for a vote. Senate Bill 208 has been placed on a special calendar for consideration by the Florida Senate.

The takeaway

This clash between Miami Beach's local government and state lawmakers highlights the ongoing tension over development decisions, especially in historic areas. The proposed state bills are seen by city officials and residents as a threat to local control and historic preservation, raising concerns about the potential consequences for Miami Beach's unique character.