Commissioners Set Workshop On Homestead Base Project
By Nik Robinson
Miami-Dade County commissioners will hold a workshop at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 8 to discuss whether to apply for the 717 acres of land in Homestead being offered by the US Air Force at no cost for economic development.
Since 1994, the county has been working with the Homestead Air Force Base Development, or HABDI, to bring a one-runway airport to the former Air Force Base to relieve Miami International Airport, which is expected to be offering its full capacity of flights by 2015.
But last week the Air Force informed county officials the planned airport was not a viable option for the land, which is situated between two national parks.
"The Air Force does not take this action lightly, but we are firmly convinced that it is the right result," the report reads.
"It certainly does not give the local redevelopment authority" Miami-Dade County "what it sought, but it strives to protect the local redevelopment authority’s interest by giving the county the first opportunity to accept the land and seek redevelopment, and thereby stimulate economic development in Miami-Dade County.
Homestead Air Force Base Development has filed federal suit asking a 1994 decision that allows airport development proceed, according to Homestead Air Force Base Development attorney Ramon Rasco.
It remains legally questionable whether the county has rights to the land or is still in a contract with HABDI to develop at the site.
The legal questions, as well as what to do to relieve increasing air traffic, will be discussed during the workshop.
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