Spottswood Companies, Miccosukee Tribe Float Dual Casino Proposal In Key West

Developers outline gaming resorts, legalized prostitution and housing funding pledge as legal, zoning hurdles loom despite four favorable votes on the City Commission.

Viva Key West!

KEY WEST, Fla. — The Spottswood Companies on Tuesday announced a partnership with the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida to pursue two casino developments in the Florida Keys, outlining an expansive proposal that would pair large-scale gaming with a revenue-sharing plan for workforce housing and potential changes to state law.

Under the proposal, a full-service casino resort would be developed on a 94-acre parcel at the end of Fifth Avenue on Stock Island. The site is currently zoned agricultural and includes a pollinator farm, honey-bee operation and organic gardens.

Developers said the resort concept includes hotel towers, gaming floors, restaurants and entertainment venues modeled after large-scale destination casinos.

A second, smaller walk-in casino is proposed for the current site of the Sonic Drive-In on North Roosevelt Boulevard, designed for shorter visits and locals rather than overnight stays.

Project representatives said 15% of gross revenues from gaming would be dedicated to affordable and workforce housing under the city’s housing framework, describing the commitment as central to addressing long-standing shortages in the Keys.

In addition to gaming, proponents said they would seek state authorization to legalize prostitution through a regulated, mainstream framework rather than informal lobbying, with licensing, zoning, health standards and taxation modeled on Nevada’s system but adapted to a rural resort environment.

“Rather than just allowing local politicians to whore themselves out, the idea would be to let working men and women enjoy their fair share of the pie,” said one longtime local politico familiar with the proposal, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A representative speaking for both development partners said the group intends to move quickly, adding that they hope to have the proposal “rammed down the public’s throat” before lame-duck Gov. Ron DeSantis leaves office.

City Commissioner Aaron Castillo was overheard asking City Manager Brian Barroso, “What does staff recommend?”

District IV Commissioner Lissette Carey whispered “Is the Grand Jury done yet?”

Housing advocates responded cautiously, pointing to potential tradeoffs in land use.

A representative for Last Stand of the Florida Keys said the proposal raises concerns because the Stock Island parcel represents one of the few remaining tracts capable of supporting large-scale workforce housing development.

Supporters of the plan said the projects could diversify Key West’s tourism economy and generate new revenue streams for public services including funding of the now defunct Duval Loop.

City officials said no formal applications have been submitted and emphasized that casino development in the Keys would require significant regulatory changes, including land-use amendments and approvals at the state and federal levels — but they would do whatever it took push the project through with maximum opacity.

The proposal comes as development pressures and housing affordability remain central issues in the Lower Keys, where limited land availability continues to constrain both residential and commercial growth.

Developers said any formal review process would include public hearings and environmental analysis before projects of this scale could move forward — despite having four votes on the city commission already in their pocket.

Ed. Note: Look at the date. April Fools.