Miami Beach residents angry about Watson Island mega-development project

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -

Residents expressed outrage Wednesday over a mega-development project that is under construction on Watson Island.

They are upset over the impact it will have on traffic along the MacArthur Causeway.

"I have over 220 emails that have been sent to me in the last few days -- everyone in opposition to this," Gerald Posner told commissioners.

City leaders agreed that the project could make it more difficult for people to get to Miami Beach.

"It is wrong for our community, our businesses and our residents," Mayor Philip Levine said.

The Flagstone Island Gardens project will include two hotel towers and more than 200,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. Construction crews have already shored up a seawall where a marina will be built.

The project has experienced several delays over the years, with the developer making changes to the project.

"They have a right to move things around," Cesar Garcia-Pons, deputy director of the Miami Planning & Zoning Department, said.

The mayor and commissioners agreed to spend more than $200,000 for a traffic study that could have zero impact on the development. The project was initially signed off by the city of Miami and sits on property that voters approved for development years ago.

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Miami Beach residents angry about Watson Island mega-development project