Homestead Moves Forward with Development Projects

Homestead residents will soon see a large office and warehouse building. During the April 16th meeting, the Council approved the site plan request by Flightway Eighteen for the development of a 162,400 square-foot office and warehouse facility on an approximately 10-acre parcel of land located south of SW 328th Street/ SE 8th Street, just outside of the Villages of Homestead Development of Regional Impact.

The proposed development comprises a multi-tenant office and warehouse facility containing 16 bays. The property is currently vacant and unimproved. Access to the property will be provided via two driveways. The future land use permits industrial uses, including office and warehouse flex uses.

The uses will be compatible with existing and approved land uses in the surrounding area. The Council approved an ordinance to revise permitted uses in the B-1 and B-2 retail commercial districts. To stimulate growth and future development within the City's core historic downtown area, the code amendment limits permitted first-floor storefront uses located along the Washington Avenue corridor extending between SW 312 Street, (Campbell Drive) and SW 320th Street (West Mowry Drive) and portions of Krome Avenue corridor extending from SW 312 Street (Campbell Drive) and SW 320th Street, (West Mowry Drive).

This will enhance economic development opportunities, encourage a diverse mix of entertainment, restaurant, and commercial retail businesses, and promote compatibility with surrounding land uses. Permitted first-floor storefront uses are limited to commercial retail, restaurant, and entertainment types within B-1 areas and commercial retail, restaurant, and entertainment types within B-2 areas.

The Council agreed to a resolution approving purchasing transactions with Enterprise Leasing Company of Florida to provide rental vehicles to the City's police department. Using rental cars for detectives offers significant advantages over purchasing vehicles, including cost savings, flexibility, enhanced confidentiality, and operational efficiency. law enforcement agencies can utilize their resources effectively by leveraging rental cars, while minimizing unnecessary financial commitments and risks. Additionally, Homestead is closer to having a large Flanigan’s restaurant at the location of the former library at the old city hall site.

During the April 16th meeting, the Homestead Council agreed to a resolution directing staff to negotiate an agreement with Flanigan’s Enterprises to develop a 2.15-acre parcel of land commonly known as the library site located at 700 North Homestead Boulevard. Representatives from Flanigan’s presented pictures of the proposed new restaurant and the benefits it will offer the community.

The restaurant plans an 11,760-square-foot mixed-use building with an 8,500-square-foot full-service Flanigan’s restaurant and a 3,200-square-foot retail store. The layout features a minimal front setback along US-1 to activate the street frontage, 120 surface parking spaces, 8,800 square feet of open space, enhanced landscaping, and integrated signage.

The representatives said Flanigan’s is active in local communities. The Council was pleased with the presentation, and members said they look forward to welcoming it to Homestead. On April 17th, the Council held a workshop to discuss how the rest of the old City Hall site will be developed. The Council and city leadership aim to create a dining and entertainment destination that will attract people from the region.

The city leadership has said they don’t want a large amount of housing, but potential developers may want it. Council member Larry Roth said he wants to see higher-end restaurants on the site. Possibilities include an Irish-style pub, a Greek-style restaurant, and other upscale dining places. There would be live music at night and recreational areas like miniature golf. Roth does not want to see a significant housing development with lower-price units. He would be open to a smaller residential development with luxury-style apartments.

The City has been working on this project for years. In May 2021, the City issued a solicitation for the redevelopment of the southwest corner of US-1 and Campbell Drive, generally known as the former City Hall site. This involved eight separate parcels totaling approximately about 16 acres, and the property represents one of the most significant redevelopment opportunities within the Downtown area.

The City subsequently selected Related Urban Development Group (RUDG) as the development partner. Over the next nearly four years, the City and RUDG negotiated development terms until they mutually terminated negotiations in January 2025. The last development program included five phases, including

• Phase 1: Mixed-income residential, 292 units, with public and private open space. 
• Phase 2: Retail, primarily a Flanigan’s restaurant and liquor store. 
• Phase 3: Retail space, including restaurants, dry retailers, and a potential grocery store.
• Phase 4: Additional mixed-income residential, 134 units for Active Military & Veterans.
• Phase 5: Commercial office space designed for a VA Clinic.