Homestead Seeks Community Input on Future of Harris Field

The City of Homestead is continuing to work with residents to determine the best possible future for Harris Field Park as officials also evaluate an unsolicited proposal involving the stadium and two soccer fields.

On Aug. 10, city leadership hosted its first community outreach workshop, known as Reimagining Harris Field. The goal was to ask residents what they wanted Harris Field to become in the future.

City leaders asked the community which amenities and improvements they wanted in the park. The workshop opened the door for a 10-year project that could reshape one of Homestead’s most iconic parks, according to city information.

There was discussion about improving the soccer fields and adding more volleyball courts. Most of the residents wanted to see improved recreational opportunities.

The workshop followed a previous presentation from Sports Performance Hub regarding an unsolicited proposal to reconstruct Harris Field Stadium and redevelop two soccer fields.

VSGS Facilities LLC, doing business as Sports Performance Hub, submitted the public-private partnership proposal for the renovation, improvement, operation, maintenance and programming of a portion of Harris Field Park.

Sports Performance Hub wants to rebuild the stadium to temporarily accommodate Miami FC, a professional men’s soccer team, while the organization builds its permanent soccer stadium at Homestead Regional Park.

The proposed work would involve a new stadium, including a new press box, the widening of the field and improvements to the two soccer fields, according to city information.

At its July 7 meeting, the Homestead Council directed the city manager to begin negotiations with VSGS Facilities and Sports Performance Hub regarding the Harris Field Park proposal on a noncompetitive basis.

The Council then held a public meeting July 22, where representatives presented the proposal and members of the public were given an opportunity to comment.

Florida law requires two noticed meetings before the City Council may proceed with an unsolicited public-private partnership proposal without a competitive bidding process.

The Council must make a public-interest determination regarding the proposal. Its findings will address the project’s public benefits, financial structure, potential economic efficiencies, the qualifications and ability of the private entity to perform, its relationship with regional infrastructure plans and public comments received through the required meeting process.

Based on those findings, the resolution will determine whether the city may continue evaluating and negotiating the proposal without conducting a public bidding process.

The resolution may also direct publication of the required report in the Florida Administrative Register and authorize city staff to continue negotiations and prepare proposed agreements.

It would not approve a final agreement. Any final agreement would remain subject to separate approval by the Homestead Council, according to city information.