Change is coming to Miami’s Little River and Little Haiti neighborhoods after Miami-Dade County approved a major redevelopment plan for the historically underserved areas.
Miami-Dade County commissioners unanimously approved this week SG Holdings' plan for the proposed Little River District, which the developer claims is the largest affordable housing project in the county’s history.
SG Holdings is a partnership between Swerdlow Group, SJM Holdings and Alben Duffie. Securing final approval from the county is a “major milestone” that will help tackle “Miami’s critical need for affordable and workforce housing,” said Michael Swerdlow, CEO of Swerdlow Group, in a statement.
SG Holdings plans to build a $3 billion mixed-use district with thousands of affordable housing units, retail space and a train station across 63 acres on both sides of Interstate 95, which runs through the Little River and Little Haiti areas.
“The goal,” Swerdlow said, is to offer “prosperity for the highly deserving communities of Little Haiti and Little River.”
The two neighborhoods encompass overlapping areas between Northeast 54th Street in the south up to Miami’s Little River in the north. The Florida East Coast Railway makes up the neighborhood’s eastern boundary, and Interstate 95 is on the western edge.
The team expects to begin construction next year and estimates the project will take eight years to build.
Designed by Arquitectonica, the Little River District will include 2,284 affordable housing units for those making 60% of Miami-Dade’s $79,400 median income, with 1,398 workforce rental units for those making up to 120% of the median income. Another 2,048 workforce condominium units, with subsidies provided to help buyers who make 140% of the median income, are also planned.
SG Holdings has already secured major tenants for the planned 370,000-square-foot retail component. Home Depot and BJ’s have already signed on for space at the district, according to the developer’s statement.
Another aspect of the plan calls for 250,000 square feet of public green spaces and a $35 million Tri-Rail station to connect the district to the rest of the county via the commuter rail service’s downtown connection that runs through the area.
“At a time when population growth is fueling demand for housing and everyday services, the Little River District will deliver a community that prioritizes affordable and quality housing, accessibility to public transit, and economic opportunity for local residents and business owners,” Swerdlow said.
SG Holdings completed the 1.5 million-square-foot Sawyer’s Walk mixed-use project in downtown Miami last year that also includes affordable housing units.