Miami-Dade voters have approved a referendum waiving competitive bidding for the right to redevelop Melreese Country Club into a $1 billion mega-project complete with office, retail and commercial space and a soccer stadium.
The referendum allows the negotiation and execution of a 99-year lease with Miami Freedom Park, LLC. for 73 acres of the Melreese Country Club site at 1400 Northwest 37th Avenue. Miami Freedom Park, LLC. is comprised of David Beckham, Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure, and brothers Jorge and Jose Mas. As per the agreement, the group will pay an annual rent of at least $3.6 million, or fair market value as determined by two independent appraisals, plus $20 million to fund construction of a 58-acre public park, paid in annual installments of $666,667 for 30 years.
The Arquitectonica-designed proposal includes 400K SF of office space and 600K SF of restaurant, retail and entertainment space; along with 750 hotel rooms and a 25,000 seat soccer stadium with only 3,750 parking spaces. The city will be on the hook to redevelop and maintain the remaining land at the site at the expense of tax payers.
