Miami Freedom Park is now officially under construction.
Inter Miami CF said that work began earlier this month, with completion of the first phase planned for 2025.
Crews and heavy equipment are now on site, performing earthwork and sitework, the team said. They will move will move across the 131 acres “concurrent with vertical construction.”
The first phase planned for 2025 includes a $350m stadium and initial retail and entertainment offerings.
Additional retail, hotel and commercial phases will be delivered through 2030, a press release issued today said.
The combined phases of the project will include a 25,000-seat multi-purpose MLS stadium, a 58-acre public park, over 1 million square feet of commercial retail, entertainment, amusement, and office space along with three hotels totaling 750 rooms. Total value is estimated at $1 billion.
If the stadium is not complete by 2025, it could open after Lionel Messi has already left the club – unless he signs an extension.
However, a Bilzin Sumberg environmental and land development attorney told the WSJ that a completion time frame of at least three years is more likely.
Among the issues still to be resolved, according to the WSJ report:
- Height Approval – the Miami-Dade Aviation Department has not approved the height of the project, and hasn’t even received the proposed heights yet. The FAA has approved the heights. The stadium size was reduced from 40,000 seats to 25,000 in response to concerns that it would interfere with operations at MIA
- Environmental Approval – Miami Dade’s DERM is expected to receive a report on the site in September. A meeting with the developer took place in July. There is arsenic and pesticide contamination that requires remediation
- Traffic – Miami-Dade is concerned that the project will impact Miami International Airport and the surrounding area with increased traffic congestion. A study had been expected to be submitted in December, but still hasn’t been received.
