Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Redevelopment, Huizenga-Style


"We believe in the industry," says Wayne Huizenga Jr., owner of the Rybovich marina complex in West Palm Beach. In a partnership with the New England Institute of Technology, Huizenga is spending $8,000 to train each new recruit on site. The first class of 15 recruits graduated in September.

Buoyed by the 2004 arrival of the Huizenga family as owners, the Rybovich marina and service complex on Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach is undergoing a $100-million expansion.

Rybovich CEO Wayne Huizenga Jr. is building new administration offices and a $20-million yacht service facility. Plans also call for retail and restaurant space. Huizenga sold four of the complex's 12 acres to WCI Communities to build two residential towers with 220 units.

Construction is expected to begin by the middle of next year. The marina redevelopment project will take a few years but will allow the facility to handle yachts more than 300 feet long. Notably, the slips at the marina will remain leased rather than sold. Production of Rybovich sport fishing boats is moving to Stuart to make room for the improvements.

"We believe in the industry," says Wayne Huizenga Jr., owner of the Rybovich marina complex in West Palm Beach. In a partnership with the New England Institute of Technology, Huizenga is spending $8,000 to train each new recruit on site. The first class of 15 recruits graduated in September.