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1 month ago

City outlines multi-phase Chrome Avenue and Flagler water, sewer and transit project starting April 2026 City staff presented an FDA-funded multi-phase project to upsize water and sewer mains, rebuild roadways and add ADA-compliant sidewalks, bus shelters and landscaping along Chrome and Flagler avenues; construction is phased to limit disruption but will require full segment closures at times and community outreach.

Exciting changes are on the horizon for downtown Homestead as a multi-phase project kicks off in April 2026, bringing vital water and sewer upgrades, improved transit access, and ADA-compliant sidewalks!

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#HomesteadCityCounty #FL #TransitAccessibility

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2 months ago

Council allocates two City Days for aviation/STEM expo, removes open‑ended city cost commitment Council approved dedicating two unused City Days to an Eagle Aviation aviation/STEM expo at Homestead‑Miami Speedway, after removing a section that would have obligated the city to cover operational costs; the sponsor pledged scholarships for local students.

The Homestead City Council has officially allocated two City Days for an exciting aviation and STEM expo, promising scholarships for local students and a vibrant community event!

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#HomesteadCityCounty #FL #STEMEducation #WorkforceDevelopment #HomesteadAviation #CommunityEvents

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2 months ago

Homestead CRA asks staff to open public process for downtown 'Chrome Marketplace' food‑hall After a developer presentation for a proposed "Chrome Marketplace" food‑hall and entertainment district, the CRA directed staff to issue a 30‑day Section 163 notice to solicit proposals for retail, food, service and bar uses on three downtown parcels.

A new food-hall and entertainment district, "Chrome Marketplace," could soon transform vacant downtown parcels in Homestead, but the competition is just beginning!

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#HomesteadCityCounty #FL #CommunityDevelopment #HomesteadCity #LocalEntrepreneurs #PublicProcess #CitizenPortal

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2 months ago

Homestead extends gunfire‑detection contract and accepts multiple law‑enforcement grants Council approved a contract amendment to continue a gunfire‑detection service and accepted several public‑safety grants including a $3.25 million COPS hiring grant; councilmembers debated cost, coverage and operational value for police response.

Homestead's council just approved a groundbreaking gunfire-detection contract and secured $3.25 million in law-enforcement grants—could this be a game changer for public safety?

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2 months ago

Developers present 10,000‑seat Sports Performance Hub plan; city and youth groups discuss phasing and access Developers of the proposed Sports Performance Hub gave the council a detailed master plan including an initial baseball field, training fields, an integrated 10,000‑seat stadium with a hotel, and community facilities; councilmembers pressed the team on construction phasing, youth‑league access and event logistics.

A groundbreaking multi-use sports campus is set to transform Homestead with a 10,000-seat stadium, community amenities, and a focus on enhancing local identity and economic growth.

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#HomesteadCityCounty #FL #CommunityDevelopment #EventLogistics #HomesteadCity #YouthSports

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2 months ago

Homestead council approves expansion for The Palace: 240-bed skilled nursing facility cleared with special exception, variance and site plan After a continuation of a quasi-judicial hearing, council approved three related actions to allow a 240-bed skilled nursing/assisted-living expansion at 3100 Campbell Drive (special exception, variance for parking and parapet height, and amended site plan), with staff and applicant addressing traffic and parking mitigation and planning conditions.

Homestead council has given the green light for a major expansion of The Palace, paving the way for a new 240-bed skilled nursing and assisted-living facility amid traffic concerns and community input.

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2 months ago

Homestead council directs manager to gather facts on $50M Bluenest letter of intent for mitigation property Council authorized the city manager to hold preliminary discussions and gather documentation about a $50 million nonbinding letter of intent from Bluenest Development LLC to buy roughly 530 acres of the city's mitigation property, citing extensive conservation easements and a separate right-to-match held on a 160-acre portion by VSGS.

Homestead's council is buzzing over a $50 million offer for city property, but conservation easements could complicate the deal—what's the next move?

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#HomesteadCityCounty #FL #EnvironmentalConservation #HomesteadCity #CommunityTransparency #CitizenPortal #UrbanDevelopment

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3 months ago

Council hears nonprofit presentations tied to Children’s Trust grant and considers subcontractor agreements Five local nonprofit partners presented program outcomes and service metrics tied to a Children's Trust grant; staff introduced a Tab 17 resolution to approve subcontractor agreements and invoice-review criteria, and council members voiced support while asking about city oversight of grant funds.

Local nonprofits showcased impactful programs funded by the Children's Trust grant, highlighting the urgent need for renewed support to combat family violence in Homestead.

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#HomesteadCityCounty #FL #FamilySupport #DomesticViolenceResources #HomesteadCity #GrantAccountability

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3 months ago

Homestead council re-adopts millage rate and approves 2025–26 budget after TRIM notice correction At a Nov. 19 special budget hearing the City of Homestead re-adopted a final operating millage of 5.9604 mills and approved the 2025–26 budget and capital plan following correction of a TRIM-law advertisement error; council recorded unanimous roll-call votes for both items.

The City of Homestead's council unanimously re-adopted the millage rate and approved the 2025–26 budget after correcting a significant TRIM notice error, ensuring fiscal responsibility for the community.

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#HomesteadCityCounty #FL #FiscalResponsibility #LocalGovernance

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3 months ago

Private group proposes $275 million Homestead Regional Park sports campus with stadium, hotel and training academies City officials described a privately funded $275 million proposal from VSGS to redevelop Homestead Regional Park into a regional sports campus with a 10,000-seat stadium, hotel, multiple training fields and dormitories; city leaders said the council unanimously supported negotiations and an 80-year ground-lease structure with revenue shares and infrastructure upgrades.

A groundbreaking $275 million plan is set to transform Homestead Regional Park into a premier sports campus featuring a 10,000-seat stadium, a hotel, and world-class training facilities—all without costing taxpayers a dime!

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#HomesteadCityCounty #FL #EconomicDevelopment

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3 months ago

Homestead council extends due diligence on 406 Washington purchase after Phase 1 report; third appraisal and Phase 2 ordered Council declined to terminate a purchase contract for 406 Washington Avenue and instead voted to extend due diligence through Feb. 27 to allow a Phase 2 environmental investigation and a third appraisal; the motion included authority for the manager to execute an extension and an instruction that the contract terminate if the seller will not sign the extension.

Homestead City Council just extended their due diligence period for the controversial 406 Washington Avenue purchase, sparking intense debate over environmental concerns and financial implications.

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3 months ago

Miami‑Dade officials outline BRT fix list for Homestead; council presses for faster signal and safety fixes Miami‑Dade DOT and Public Works briefed Homestead council on Bus Rapid Transit operations, retimings and signal preemptions; county staff said higher-than-expected ridership and system fine‑tuning require short- and mid‑term work, and council requested one‑pagers, task force coordination, and emergency preemption reviews.

Miami-Dade officials are tackling urgent traffic signal issues in Homestead as they respond to rising Bus Rapid Transit ridership and community safety concerns.

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#HomesteadCityCounty #FL #TransportationReform #EmergencyResponse #HomesteadCity #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal

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3 months ago

Homestead council approves $12 million water‑and‑sewer loan after state grant announcement, with conditions City Council authorized up to $12 million in water and sewer revenue notes with a 20‑year, 4.19% recommended loan from South State Bank, while debating whether a newly announced $4 million state grant could be jeopardized; council approved the loan with direction to notify council if grant details change.

The Homestead City Council has approved a $12 million water and sewer loan, but the timing raises questions about a newly announced $4 million state grant that could impact the project.

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#HomesteadCityCounty #FL #HomesteadCityCouncil #PublicFunding #WaterInfrastructure

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4 months ago

At-a-glance: key votes and deferrals from Homestead City Council meeting, Nov. 19, 2025 Council approved Children's Trust subcontracts, several procurement and budget items, and deferred multiple land-use applications and a CRA acquisition item; the council extended due diligence on the proposed 406 Washington purchase and deferred the CRA down payment.

The Homestead City Council made pivotal decisions and deferrals during their November 19 meeting, including the approval of Children's Trust subcontracts and critical budget amendments.

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4 months ago

Council extends due diligence on proposed purchase of 406 Washington after environmental concerns After receiving phase-1 environmental material near the meeting, the Homestead Council voted to extend due diligence through Feb. 27 (with seller sign-off) and require a phase-2 invasive study and a third appraisal before deciding whether to proceed with a $1M CRA down-payment and issuing debt.

In a heated debate, the Homestead City Council voted to extend the due diligence period on the Goodyear property acquisition, raising concerns about environmental risks and appraisal discrepancies.

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4 months ago

Homestead Council OKs subcontract awards for Children's Trust grants after nonprofits present services After presentations by five local nonprofits, the Homestead City Council approved subcontractor agreements to implement a Children's Trust grant to support families exposed to violence, while one councilmember voted no citing past alleged misconduct at a provider's offices.

Homestead City Council has just approved vital funding for local nonprofits to provide essential services for families affected by violence, marking a significant step toward community safety and support.

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4 months ago

FDOT outlines $99 million Turnpike widening for Homestead; council presses for extra lane, safety fixes Florida Turnpike Enterprise told Homestead council members the $99,000,000 widening project from Campbell Drive to Tallahassee Road will add lanes, strengthen bridges and upgrade lighting, and is expected to finish by mid-2027; council members urged adding a fourth lane and immediate safety work at the Campbell Drive entrance.

A $99 million project to widen the Turnpike through Homestead is underway, but local leaders are pressing for more lanes and urgent safety fixes at dangerous intersections.

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#HomesteadCityCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #TransportationInnovation #InfrastructureImprovements

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4 months ago

Council defers decision on Palace nursing-home expansion after parking and traffic concerns The Palace's request to add a 240-bed skilled nursing facility at 3100 Campbell Drive was deferred so the applicant can complete a fuller traffic study and address parking and right-of-way improvements the city may require. Applicant proffered to build necessary improvements if feasible; council asked for right-turn/deceleration-lane analysis.

The Homestead City Council has put the brakes on a major expansion plan for The Palace, raising concerns over parking and traffic that could delay the addition of a new 240-bed skilled nursing facility.

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#HomesteadCityCounty #FL #HomesteadCity #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety

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4 months ago

Homestead Council approves $301,245 in Children's Trust subgrants after heated exchange over SOS leadership The Homestead City Council approved subcontractor agreements to distribute roughly $301,245 in Children's Trust funds to five local nonprofits despite a dispute over allegations about one group's leadership. Council voted to fund Start Off Smart (SOS), Mujer, Christie House, Enfamilia and Dade Legal Aid; Mayor Lawson cast the lone No on the package.

Homestead City Council's recent vote to approve over $301,000 in funding for local nonprofits turned fiery, with a contentious debate over leadership ethics in one organization.

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#HomesteadCityCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CommunitySupport #HomesteadFamilies

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4 months ago

Council extends due diligence on 406 Washington purchase after environmental and appraisal disputes After receiving a Phase I environmental report and seeing widely divergent appraisal numbers, Homestead council rejected a motion to terminate the city's purchase contract for the Goodyear property and instead approved an extension of due diligence to Feb. 27 to allow Phase II testing and a third appraisal; the companion CRA allocation was deferred.

Homestead council faces crucial decisions as they extend due diligence on the controversial Goodyear property purchase amid appraisal disputes and environmental concerns.

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4 months ago

Homestead special master issues dozens of compliance orders and fines; common deadlines set for early January Special Master Michael Styles heard dozens of code-enforcement cases on Nov. 20, 2025, issuing routine compliance deadlines (10–120 days), assessing administrative fees, and reducing some civil penalties; notable outcomes included a $800 fine for excessive tree pruning and multiple 45‑day extensions for permit-related work.

Special Master Michael Styles tackled a mountain of code violations in Homestead, granting compliance extensions and reducing fines, but emphasized one critical rule: permits must be secured before any construction begins.

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4 months ago

Homestead council expands utility relief for furloughed federal workers, adopts 2026 priorities and awards infrastructure contracts In a single special meeting the Homestead council expanded utility-relief eligibility for furloughed federal employees, approved legislative priorities focusing on water and east‑side police presence, awarded pump‑station contracts totaling about $3.2 million, approved a CRA stormwater survey, adopted a Vision Zero safety plan, and approved two claim settlements.

The Homestead City Council has taken bold steps to support furloughed federal workers and enhance infrastructure, all while aiming for zero traffic fatalities with its new Vision Zero plan.

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8 months ago

City of Homestead engages community in rodeo feasibility discussions Council members address community concerns regarding the future of the Homestead Rodeo.

The City of Homestead is taking bold steps toward securing a permanent home for the rodeo, sparking excitement and collaboration among community leaders and stakeholders.

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#HomesteadCityCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #CommunityPartnership #LocalDevelopment #HomesteadRodeo

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8 months ago

City Council Approves Public Access Plan for Keysgate Park Facilities City ensures guaranteed public access to Keysgate Park amidst charter school discussions.

Homestead is making waves with new recreational facilities for the community, while ensuring the beloved rodeo finds a new home!

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#HomesteadCityCounty #FL #HomesteadCity #CitizenPortal #PublicAccess #CommunityRecreation #YouthSports

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8 months ago

City Council Reviews 160 Acres Proposal for Sports Complex Development Council member raises concerns over potential loss of city asset in development proposal.

The City of Homestead's council is torn over a proposed sports complex on 160 acres, with potential consequences for a critical 530-acre development site looming large.

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#HomesteadCityCounty #FL #HomesteadCity #CitizenPortal #PublicParticipation #EnvironmentalPlanning

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8 months ago

Daniel Verdier advocates for Keysgate Charter School's access to new park project in Homestead Verdier emphasizes student safety and access during park construction impacts on Keysgate Charter School.

Daniel Verdier urges the Homestead City Council to prioritize student safety and access as a new park project looms over Keysgate Charter School.

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#HomesteadCityCounty #FL #CommunityCollaboration #CitizenPortal #HomesteadCityCouncil #ParkAccess #StudentSafety

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8 months ago

City Council Approves Lease for Homestead Regional Park Development and Stadium Usage Council finalizes lease agreement for Homestead Regional Park with guaranteed public access and amenities.

The City of Homestead is on the brink of a recreational revolution with a groundbreaking lease agreement for the Regional Park, bringing a new multi-purpose stadium and exciting events to the community!

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8 months ago

City Manager addresses youth field availability for summertime recreation City Manager discusses adequate field space for youth activities during summer break.

The City of Homestead is stepping up to ensure our youth have the recreational space they need this summer, but are there enough fields to play?

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8 months ago

Homestead City Council Approves Transformational Project Creating 4,084 Construction Jobs Council members celebrate a $275 million project expected to enhance local infrastructure and jobs.

Homestead is on the brink of a $275 million transformation that promises to create over 4,000 jobs and reshape the community for generations to come!

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#HomesteadCityCounty #FL #HomesteadCity #CitizenPortal #JobCreation #EconomicDevelopment #CommunityResources

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8 months ago

Homestead City Council finalizes contract for world-class park development City Council secures public access and amenities in under 18 weeks for park project.

Homestead City Council has turned a new leaf by finalizing a groundbreaking contract that promises a world-class park for the community, all in under 18 weeks!

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