Inter Miami CF took another step forward on Wednesday in their quest for a permanent home stadium, submitting a proposed lease agreement and community benefits agreement to the city of Miami for the Miami Freedom Park project near the city's international airport.
With a tech hub, hotel, entertainment district, 58-acre public park with playing fields and green space and other features centered on a cutting-edge venue for the MLS expansion side, Miami Freedom Park is one of the more ambitious soccer stadium concepts in recent North American history, as shown by the updated renderings of both the stadium and the surrounding features the club released on Wednesday.
“We look forward to working with the City of Miami to finalize the voter-approved, fair-market-value lease agreement that provides residents with an expansive public park, 11,000 construction jobs, 2,300 permanent jobs and more than $40 million in tax revenue, while using zero City taxpayer dollars,” said Inter managing owner Jorge Mas in a statement. “We invite residents to visit our website to learn more and share their input.”
Notably, Inter’s proposal refers to a 99-year lease with annual rent payments of no less than $3.5 million, based on a third-party fair-market-value appraisal, and pledges to build the stadium, tech hub and adjacent spaces at no cost to taxpayers, with the public park areas to be completed before or simultaneously with the stadium proper.
The community benefits agreement includes a $5 million gift for Miami’s Riverwalk/Baywalk project, $20 million for park maintenance and free access to the 11 soccer fields at Miami Freedom Park for Miami youth. Inter have already reached an agreement with the First Tee youth golf program to grow and relocate that initiative.
The club’s updates to their stadium vision also features the addition of Inter’s now-signature pink hue to the dramatic roof. Wednesday’s proposal is the latest step in an overall concept that was overwhelmingly approved by Miami voters in a referendum on Election Day last November.
Set to debut in MLS next season, Inter Miami are also constructing a training facility and smaller stadium on the site of the old Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which will serve as the base for their youth academy and a temporary home for the first team while Miami Freedom Park is constructed.
