Council accepts demolition grant for Barracuda Bay but bars demolition until legal issues are resolved

The Riviera Beach City Council voted March 4 to accept a Phase‑2 cleanup and beautification grant of $221,750 from the Solid Waste Authority for demolition work at Barracuda Bay Water Park, but added a council condition blocking demolition of Barracuda Bay structures until the city "prevails" in pending litigation.

Staff described the agreement as a reimbursement grant that the city would only draw on after demolition and related work were performed. Residents and council members raised legal and procedural concerns; Councilmember Dr. Glenn Spears and others asked whether acceptance should be conditioned on a court outcome. After discussion the council adopted a separate motion, by majority, that no demolition of the remaining building structures or water‑park amenities at Barracuda Bay would occur until the city prevails in the outstanding litigation.

Assistant Police Chief Mike Madden told the council that the Solid Waste Authority award is a reimbursement and that if the city does not proceed with demolition it simply would not request the funds. City staff said there is schedule flexibility built into demolition and construction plans to allow the city to cure legal issues before site work begins.

Public commenters voiced conflicting views: some urged swift demolition and praised city support for police and parks, while others warned the community has longstanding complaints about the pool's accessibility and impacts on low‑income residents. Several residents also raised separate governance concerns after subpoenas were reported served at a municipal building earlier in the meeting.

Mayor Douglas Lawson and staff emphasized the grant does not obligate immediate demolition and that the city has authority to delay site work pending legal resolution.

What’s next: Council accepted the grant; staff will not proceed with demolition of Barracuda Bay until litigation is resolved or the council provides explicit direction to proceed. If litigation is resolved in favor of the city, staff said it would return with demolition timelines and execution details.