RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. --
Hope is still afloat for plans to build a boat yard for luxury mega yachts in Riviera Beach.
Rybovich Marine announced plans on Friday to construct a $45 million servicing facility on 20th Street that's expected to create new jobs for the company, as well as thousands of additional jobs in the local economy.
Rybovich’s owner, Wayne Huizenga, Jr. made the announcement along with city leaders from West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach, as well as US Rep. Alcee Hastings, and Rep. Allen West.
Both congressmen pledged their support to the project, and their anticipation that it would help restart the economic engine along Palm Beach County’s maritime corridor.
“It’s with suppliers, with getting some of these closed store fronts back open. It's just a win-win situation for everyone,” said West.
Leaders are excited that Rybovich chose Palm Beach County, after fear that they would relocate following a failed voter referendum in November to build a similar facility at Riviera Beach’s public marina. The new marina is slated for land that the company already owns.
“We heard the people that spoke in the referendum,” Huizenga said to reporters. “We want to be good partners. We believe these projects only work when everybody is involved and everybody is pulling for the success of it.”
The new facility will provide more than 3000 new jobs in the community.
Rybovich hopes to break ground next year, but first needs approval from the Army Corps of Engineers to widen the channel in the Intracoastal, as well as obtain permits for constructing the new facility.
Meanwhile, voters will return next week to decide on a referendum to renovate the public marina in Riviera Beach. If the measure fails, charter boat captains and the marina’s Tiki Bar would likely have to close shop.
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