Cape Marina has been a vital part of the Port Canaveral community for nearly 50 years, serving both recreational boaters and commercial fishermen. My family has dedicated three generations to building and maintaining this marina, and now we are at a critical crossroads. We need your help to urge the Port Canaveral Commission to renew our lease with a specific requirement for redevelopment, allowing us to move forward with a plan that will benefit the entire community.

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Our Legacy and the Current Challenge:
My name is Kenneth Dylan Houck, and I am honored to represent the third generation of my family dedicated to Cape Marina. My grandfather, Gerald Seaman (Jerry), started this marina with a dream and a relentless drive to serve the boating community of Port Canaveral.

Cape Marina isn’t just a business; it’s the living embodiment of my grandfather Jerry Seaman’s American Dream. Jerry’s journey began on a humble potato farm in Long Island, where he learned the value of hard work from a young age. After serving in the Navy and earning a master’s degree through the GI Bill, Jerry became an engineer for General Electric. But it was his love for fishing, sparked during his childhood in Jupiter, Florida, that guided him to Port Canaveral. There, he saw an opportunity where others did not—a need for boat storage in a region with untapped potential. With determination and a vision for the future, Jerry negotiated a 50-year lease with the Canaveral Port Authority during a time when demand was low, and he set out to build something lasting. Starting with just a few parcels of land, Jerry’s dream grew into Cape Marina, now spanning approximately 10 acres. His story is one of grit, passion, and relentless pursuit of a vision—an inspiration that continues to drive us today as we carry forward his legacy at Cape Marina.

For nearly five decades, Cape Marina has been a lifeline for the local boating and fishing communities, a place where memories are made, and livelihoods are supported. But now, our future is uncertain. Despite our long-standing relationship with the port, the Commission is considering an unnecessary Request for Proposal (RFP) that could displace us and erase everything my family has built.

The Common Sense Redevelopment Plan:
We’ve developed a comprehensive plan, Cape Marina 2.0, which includes a state-of-the-art rebuild costing anywhere from $30 to $50 million. This plan is not just a renovation; it’s an entirely new marina from the ground up, designed to meet the needs of both the boating community and the port’s commercial interests. With support from industry leaders who believe in our vision, we’re ready to create a cutting-edge dry-stack facility that will provide a seamless transition for boaters from Bluepoints Marina.

Despite our efforts and the clear benefits of our proposal, the Port executives have chosen to ignore a solution that would satisfy not just state priorities but also the needs of their cruise and space industry partners—all while preserving the local boating community. Instead, they’ve decided to pursue an RFP that we believe will not lead to the outcome they expect.

Why This Matters to Everyone:
This decision doesn’t just affect my family—it affects everyone who relies on Cape Marina for their boating needs, the broader Port Canaveral community, and the cruise and space industries that are vital to our region’s economy.

By choosing not to work with us, the Port is rejecting a common-sense solution that could bring tremendous value to all stakeholders involved. Our plan allows for the quick construction of a new south-side cruise terminal, aligned with state priorities, without disrupting the boating community. This approach would ensure a smooth transition for customers from Bluepoints and allow the Port to proceed with its plans without unnecessary delays or complications.

However, this is not just about extending our lease. Any lease renewal would come with a firm commitment to redevelopment. We are prepared to invest significantly in Cape Marina 2.0, transforming it into a modern facility that serves both the present and future needs of Port Canaveral. This is a mutually beneficial solution that respects the past while paving the way for a prosperous future.

A Personal Appeal:
This isn’t just about a business—it’s about preserving a legacy that my grandfather started and that I have dedicated my life to continue. It’s about the families who’ve docked their boats here for generations, the commercial fishermen who depend on our services, and the countless memories that have been made on our docks.

We recognize that there are competing interests at play, but we believe there is a way forward that benefits everyone. If the Port renewed our lease today, with the requirement for redevelopment, we could have our new facility open by Q1 2026, ensuring a smooth transition for all customers. Bluepoints can close as intended, and the Port can begin immediate work on a south-side terminal with little to no displacement.

It’s Just Common Sense:
When the Port announced the terminal on the north side, we were blindsided. All efforts to reach a solution ceased without warning. To claim this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity and that there’s time to do it right is misleading—because now that plan is dead, and we’re right back where we started.

As Steve Jobs once said, ‘You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.’ It’s crucial to honor and build upon the foundations that have already been laid.

What We’re Asking For:
We are calling on the Port Canaveral Commission to:

1. Forgo the unnecessary RFP process and work directly with Cape Marina to expedite the redevelopment.
2. Renew Cape Marina’s lease immediately with a firm requirement for redevelopment so we can begin construction on the new facility.
3. Recognize the importance of Cape Marina to the local community and the role it plays in supporting state priorities as well as the cruise and space industries.

How You Can Help:
We need to show the Port Canaveral Commission that the community stands behind Cape Marina and our redevelopment plan. By signing this petition, you are lending your voice to a cause that affects not just one business, but an entire community. Together, we can present a united front and demonstrate that the people of Port Canaveral support practical, sensible decisions that benefit everyone.

Let’s show the Commission that we are stronger together. Let’s make sure they understand that rejecting this common-sense solution is not an option. Every signature counts. Let’s present our strength in numbers and ensure that Cape Marina continues to serve Port Canaveral for generations to come.

#ComeBackToTheTable #SupportCapeMarina