Miami's Legal Battle Over 'Citywalk' Redevelopment Plan

The City of Miami rejected Florida-based Concalpro's "Citywalk" plan, citing the market would not support the proposal for the 135-acre property adjacent to Miami International Airport. Concalpro has answered the rejection by taking legal action.

1 minute read

June 12, 2006, 6:00 AM PDT

By Mike Lydon


"Dubbed 'Citywalk,' the project was a proposed $110 million makeover for Miami's city-owned, money-losing Melreese Golf Course, which operates adjacent to Miami International Airport.

Among the planned improvements: Upgraded golf amenities such as a new clubhouse, nearly 160,000 square feet of restaurant, retail and entertainment space, a four-star hotel, and a sky bridge to make it all accessible to airport passengers.

Miami leaders considered an ambitious 635-page Citywalk submission for less than a week last year, then chucked the Michael Graves-designed plan in the trash.

The city initially said the market could no longer support a four-star hotel at the site. It now adds that the Citywalk layout itself was flawed. The property is located at 1802 NW 37th Ave.

Miami, which launched the bidding process in 2004, intends to start the process all over next week, asking interested companies for their ideas on how best to revamp the 135-acre property. But Concalpro, a company with roots in Venezuela that bases its Florida operations in Miami, is now suing the city, claiming Miami summarily tossed out its Citywalk proposal without cause."

Thursday, June 8, 2006 in The Miami Herald

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