The Related Group Pulls Out of City Place Project

The City of Homestead has mutually agreed to part ways with the Related Group and will seek another developer for City Place, which will be built on the land now occupied by the old city hall. According to Losner, Flanigan’s restaurant is still expected to be built in the location occupied by a former library on the site. The restaurant operator has indicated a desire to move forward with a location there.

Losner wants to have a workshop sooner rather than later so the council can determine the next step. A proposal request will be issued, and developers will be encouraged to submit proposals. Losner wants City Place to be a destination where people will want to come and have fun and spend money. He and most of the community leadership want to see high-quality restaurants, stores, and places to have fun. Losner has said he does not want high-rise residential buildings in City Place.

Also, there are plans to see a VA health facility at City Place. Members of the Council believe many military veterans need to be better served, and a health facility would allow them to receive care. Councilmember Tom Davis has been a strong supporter of a hospital and believes the city and community should do more to help military veterans. The new hospital may be built on land occupied by the old city hall.

During the recent Homestead meeting, the Council agreed to pursue funding from state and federal sources. City manager Nzeribe Ihekwaba presented two options: a small substation or a more extensive police and emergency operations center that would provide law enforcement and emergency services for the southern area of Miami-Dade County. It will be a larger project that will give the police a center to base their operations. Losner recognizes there is a need for a new police facility in Homestead. The city will seek state and federal funds that will allow this smaller station to become an emergency operations center.