A group of former Argentine sports legends, including NBA Hall of Famer Juan Sebastián Verón and renowned soccer player Emanuel Ginóbili, is aiming to kickstart an ambitious mixed-use development valued at approximately $337 million on public land in Homestead.
Recently, a majority of the Miami-Dade County commissioners approved a resolution allowing Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to enter into negotiations for a potential 99-year lease with VSGS Facilities, a company based in Ponte Vedra Beach.
This venture would cover about 20 acres located at 28451 Southwest 127th Avenue, right next to the Homestead Air Force Reserve Base.
Project Overview
The project faced pushback from two commissioners, who raised concerns about potential repercussions and called for additional discussions before moving forward.
The ambitious development plan consists of several components, including a soccer stadium with seating for 10,000 fans, a basketball facility spanning 38,000 square feet, student housing for 200 residents, a sports medicine center of 5,000 square feet, a hotel with 150 rooms, and numerous sports fields, as described in the county’s official documents.
Despite worries about how this large-scale initiative might interfere with the airbase’s operations and ongoing federal efforts to repurpose the site as a spaceport for rocket launches, the project garnered approval.
It also lies close to 72 acres set aside as protected park land.
Key Players and Background
Key players behind VSGS include Dario Sala, the former general manager of Jacksonville Armada FC, and Riccardo Silvia, who co-owns Miami FC and has ties to AC Milan.
The 20 acres at the center of this plan are part of a larger 123-acre tract transferred from federal ownership to the county in 2004, initially earmarked for sale to a steel mill that failed to materialize due to stalled negotiations.
In a strategic pivot, Miami-Dade County decided to retain these 20 acres under the previous steel mill agreement, allowing for adjustments to the purchase price based on this new direction.
Community Concerns and Future Planning
Commissioner Kionne McGhee introduced the resolution concerning the VSGS project.
He underscored the need for thorough involvement from representatives of the airbase, local Homestead officials, and neighboring communities in the planning process.
McGhee assured that the administration would extend opportunities for the southern Dade community to express their views and concerns on the development.
On the other hand, Commissioners Regalado and Higgins voiced their apprehensions about the lack of engagement from the investment group with local constituents.
They reported receiving inquiries from both elected officials and community members regarding the insufficient communication surrounding the project.
Regalado expressed frustration at discovering details through news outlets rather than through official channels.
Peter England, chief strategy officer for the Economic Development Council of South Miami-Dade, also stressed the necessity for a more in-depth evaluation of the plan.
He pointed out that the site is potentially earmarked as a spaceport by the state and referenced concerns from the airbase regarding how construction could disrupt its operations.
Source: Therealdeal.com