Homestead is closer to seeing major improvements at Harris Field, including renovations to its football stadium and soccer fields.
The Homestead City Council recently approved a resolution allowing the city manager to begin negotiations with VSGS Facilities over an unsolicited public-private partnership proposal for Harris Field Park.
The property currently hosts home football games for Homestead and South Dade senior high schools, along with youth soccer and other community athletic programs.
Under the proposal, the Miami FC professional soccer team would temporarily use Harris Field Park for home matches while its permanent venue at the planned Sports Performance Hub in Homestead is completed.
Sports Performance Hub operators submitted a $5.4 million proposal to upgrade the stadium and surrounding fields so Miami FC could begin hosting matches at Harris Field as early as March 2027.
The temporary move would be part of the team's planned transition from FIU's Pitbull Stadium to Homestead, according to information provided by the city.
Because of the multi-year scope of the proposed partnership, the city expects the Harris Field project to represent nearly $9 million in total value through facility upgrades, use of the project footprint and park maintenance.
The proposal has also raised concerns among families involved in Homestead's youth soccer programs.
Young soccer players attended the council meeting in their team jerseys while parents and community leaders spoke about the possibility that existing programs could be displaced. City leaders said youth soccer, high school football and other community athletic programs would continue at Harris Field.
Councilmember Larry Roth said the proposed improvements would benefit the city and its young athletes while allowing youth sports to remain at the park.
Plans call for the existing football field to be completely renovated and widened to accommodate professional soccer. A new press box would also be constructed, and the park's additional soccer fields would receive improvements.
The council's action begins negotiations over the proposal. It does not constitute approval of a final public-private partnership agreement
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