Doing The Limbo At Melreese

So far, not one shovel of dirt has come out of the ground at Melreese-International Links Golf Course.

However, still looming at some point in the future – anybody’s guess as to how far in the future – is for the course to be bulldozed and destroyed.

For now, golfers are still golfing and enjoying a top-tier Miami course that is meticulously kept amid beautiful surroundings. Even more importantly, over the years at Melreese there has been an intense focal point on a nationally acclaimed First Tee program that emphasizes school tutoring for children. Golf serves as a secondary aspect.

In other words: Kids, take an hour or two to finish your homework – then you’re allowed to play golf. At Melreese, a common sight is for young people to show up carrying both school backpacks and golf clubs.

Some two years ago the City of Miami put on the ballot a no-bid proposition that would allow the course to be razed and replaced with commercial entities. It passed. And because it passed, and if the golf course does disappear, it means the City of Miami will be shedding its lone municipal course.

That no-bid clause meant that a deal has been worked out with one entity and other companies/organizations, even if they make a superior offer, cannot be considered. In this case, the no-bid contract calls for replacing Melreese with a for-profit industrial/retail/parking lot/soccer stadium complex.

Since the vote, the course has remained fully intact, but the future still does not look good for golf at Melreese. At the present time, the City of Miami Commission still has the votes necessary to raze and then develop the land.

The soccer stadium and a Major League Soccer franchise were what lured voters to give their approval.

The franchise is headed by the Mas brothers, Jorge and Jose Mas, who are well-known South Florida investors in the areas of aviation, banking, commercial real estate, and healthcare. Also part of the investment group is David Beckham, former world-wide soccer star who owns a slight interest in the team and serves as its figurehead.

The soccer team, named Inter Miami, is currently playing a pandemic-altered first season. Home stadium, at least until a facility is built at Melreese, is in Broward County at the old Lockhart Stadium, now Inter Miami CF Stadium.

Three months ago, the Mas brothers and Beckham filed a rezoning plan for the use of the 131 acres that includes Melreese.

The proposal, not yet finalized with the city, will be called Miami Freedom Park and it calls for a large parking lot/garage that would have rooftop soccer fields. Also included would be a 25,000-seat soccer stadium that would host approximately 20 Major League Soccer games a year, various commercial buildings and a hotel. The eastern portion of the acreage would be a 58-acre public park, to be paid for by the Mas organization.

One thing is certain.

“We expect it to be a lengthy process,” Miami planning director Francisco Garcia said.

Striking a dimpled ball at Melreese Golf Course should be good to go for at least another year.

After that, who knows? The assault of the bulldozers could still occur.

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