Zackson has formed Dynamic Biscayne Shores Ltd. here for this project and enlisted Coral Gables-based Codina Realty Services as project director along with Dover, Kohl & Partners, an urban planning firm also based in Coral Gables, as master planner.
"Approximately half of the land is vacant and the rest is occupied primarily by closed-down businesses along with a long-time trailer park that is in disrepair," Stephen Nostrand, director of investment banking for Codina, tells GlobeSt.com. Steps one and two, already under way, are obtaining rezoning from Miami-Dade County and enlisting the support of neighbors.
"The land is currently zoned for up to 13 dwellings, which is not economical for any development," Nostrand says. A rezoning amendment is expected this month. At a meeting of neighbors, Nostrand handed out disposable cameras and invited attendees to take photos of what they love and hate about area redevelopment projects. Their input will be aired and reviewed at a second meeting this month.
Although proportions of the development are not yet determined, Nostrand says it will include "market-, not ultra-rate, residential, and, at this point we're looking at for-sale residential that does not include single-family housing, but a mix of townhouses, mid-rise condominiums and residential above retail in a Main Street setting." There will also be "significant commercial, retail, restaurant and office space. We hope to attract educational facilities, medical offices, a police substation and possibly a hotel. We plan to discourage automobile use and hope to provide transportation services to nearby areas," he adds.
"As we get further into the process, although we have the capability of handling it all, it is likely that we will bring in retail and/or multifamily partners," he says. "The site presents a real opportunity for a new, self-contained, urbanistic village or town." A more detailed master plan is due in mid-August, and groundbreaking is tentatively set within 18 months.
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