Fate of Miami-Dade landmark looms as eviction dispute heads to mediation
By Tynisa Senior and Alex Browning
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MIAMI (WSVN) — The future of a Miami-Dade landmark hangs in the balance as the Miami Seaquarium and the county are headed to mediation Monday morning.
“We’re going to be in the courts taking legal action for an eviction,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
The county filed an eviction lawsuit against the Dolphin Company back in June, following a public outcry after the death of at least two animals and several federal violations which have since been corrected.
The county alleges the Seaquarium violated its lease at least five times in recent years, in part, by failing to comply with animal welfare laws.
Back in Jun, Hilton Napoleon, an attorney for the Seaquarium, spoke with reporters.
“Now, all of a sudden, you think that we’ve just become a derelict company where we don’t know how to take care of sea animals? That’s improbable,” said Napoleon.
The Seaquarium alleges the county is looking into more profitable uses for the land.
“Let’s call a spade a spade. The county was contacted by people about the land, and that is what this is about, and nothing else,” he said. “It is not about the animals. It is not about the facilities. Something smells fishy.”
The original eviction notice was served in April.
Under Florida Law, mediation is confidential, so it is unclear when the results will become public. If both parties fail to come to an agreement a trial has been set for 2025.
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