Miami-Dade County has purchased a significant 0.3-acre vacant parcel in Wynwood from developer Moishe Mana for $6.5 million. This acquisition effectively resolves a long-standing dispute between Mana and the county concerning a previous land swap deal. The site is slated for a mixed-use development featuring affordable housing, a community center, and county offices.
Key Takeaways
- Miami-Dade County acquired a 0.3-acre Wynwood site from Moishe Mana for $6.5 million.
- The sale resolves a $6.6 million payment dispute tied to a prior land swap agreement.
- The property will be developed into a mixed-use project including affordable housing and a Puerto Rican community center.
- The county plans to partner with a private builder for the project.
Resolution of a Long-Standing Dispute
The transaction concludes a complex dispute stemming from a 2015 land swap deal. Initially, Mana was to receive a larger property in exchange for transferring a different site to the county and building a community center and county offices. However, environmental contamination led to a revision in 2018, shifting the development obligation to the 2900 Northwest Fifth Avenue parcel. Subsequent amendments extended deadlines and allowed for a smaller building, but by 2022, the county opted to overhaul the agreement, requiring Mana to make a $6.6 million payment instead of developing the project.
Future Development Plans
The county intends to develop the 0.3-acre parcel into a mixed-use project. Plans include much-needed affordable housing, a Puerto Rican community center requested by County Commissioner Keon Hardemon to support residents displaced by rising rents, and office space for Commissioner Hardemon. While a construction timeline has not yet been established, the county anticipates issuing a request for proposals later this year to select a private builder for the project.
Mana’s Continued Wynwood Presence
This sale represents a small fraction of Moishe Mana’s substantial Wynwood real estate holdings. Mana has long envisioned building a large arts and tech hub on his contiguous 30 acres in the area, though this project remains in its early design phases. He recently expanded his Wynwood portfolio in January, acquiring a 1.6-acre assemblage for $33.5 million.
Sources
- Moishe Mana Sells Wynwood Site to Miami-Dade For $7 Million, The Real Deal.