The Homestead City Council recently held a workshop to discuss how the old city hall property will be developed. It is located at the corner of Campbell Drive and Northeast 12th Avenue. The council decided to ask city staff to seek a new appraisal to get a more accurate assessment of values. It directed city staff to consider a lease agreement. The other option is to sell the property.
The council wants to consider not having the planned grocery store and instead having a veteran’s center. It wants staff to consider a design similar to the existing CityPlace in West Palm Beach. The council has instructed staff to negotiate with Related Urban Development Group regarding a contract to develop the site.
Council member Larry Roth believes the values for commercial and residential areas have changed and he wants a more accurate assessment. Another concern for Roth is to ensure that the property is never sold. He wants a 99-year lease for the property so the city can continue to collect revenue on the land.
A representative from Related Urban spoke on how the property could be developed. Plans call for 596 residential units and 75,000 square feet of commercial development. There will be a large public plaza for community events. Additionally, there will be a large public park area. Along with this, there will be a rooftop bar and lounge. An important goal is to create a place where people can gather and feel comfortable. There will be 376 residential units in the first phase.
Related Urban has said they believe the land is worth about $12.4 million. Another major concern for council members is having services for veterans. Council member Tom Davis said he wanted a veterans health care facility and housing geared toward veterans. He said there are about 20,000 veterans who live within the Homestead area. Davis said the area tagged as a grocery store should instead be slated as a Veterans Administration health center that would meet many of the needs of the veteran population. Davis said this would show that Homestead cares about its veterans and that it is a military town. He believes there should be more housing available for veterans.
The representative said there will be more affordable housing in the project for military families. Mayor Steven Losner said the VA is interested in establishing more services in Homestead and that it has inquired about doing so. Losner said he would like to see more VA services in the new development. He does not want to see tall buildings in the project. Losner wants another appraisal done on the project and he wants an environmental study to be done. Council member Erica Avila also said she wanted a VA clinic on the property and does not believe a grocery store should be placed there. She does not believe there should be extensive surface parking and wants to see more green space.
Council member Sean Fletcher said that Homestead is becoming a more popular destination and that more people are coming to visit the city and are choosing to live there. He believes the city should sell the property. Council member Jenifer Bailey said the project would be a good place for a VA services center. She believes it is important that Homestead is known for taking care of military veterans. She is in favor of a parking garage and wants more green space. The original plans for City Place call for three phases of development. The first would have most of the residential units. The second and third phases would include residential and stores and restaurants.
