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Argentine Sports Icons Pursue County Approval for $337 Million Homestead Development

Retired Argentinian athletes propose $337M development on Homestead county land, sparking commission debate.

A
group of prominent Argentinian sports figures, including NBA legend Juan Sebastián Verón and former soccer player Ginobili, plan to develop a $337 million mixed-use complex in Homestead, Florida. The project, which includes a 10,000-seat soccer stadium, a basketball facility, student housing, and a hotel, would be built on 20 acres of county-owned land near the Homestead Air Force Reserve Base.

    Miami-Dade County commissioners have authorized Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to negotiate a 99-year lease with VSGS Facilities for the project site. However, two commissioners, Raquel Regalado and Danielle Cohen Higgins, voted against the resolution due to concerns about the potential impact on the base's operations and surrounding protected park land.

    The investment group includes Dario Sala, ex-general manager of Jacksonville Armada FC, and Riccardo Silvia, president and co-owner of Miami FC. The project site is part of 123 acres previously owned by the federal government but deeded to the county in 2004. County documents show that negotiations for a steel mill developer to purchase the entire property stalled, leading to the current proposal.

    Commissioner Kionne McGhee sponsored the resolution and emphasized that local officials would have input on the project before negotiations are finalized. However, Regalado and Higgins expressed concerns about the lack of transparency and community engagement in the process. The Economic Development Council of South Miami-Dade also questioned the proposal's vetting process, citing potential conflicts with the base's operations and space port plans.

Argentine sports icons seek county approval for $337M Homestead development project.