A long-vacant piece of land in Cutler Bay is finally getting a plan, and it comes with homes set aside for the people who keep the community running.
The Town Council voted unanimously to approve an amended Declaration of Restrictive Covenants for The Contemporary + MedSquare at Cutler Bay. The project will sit on about 18.5 acres of vacant land along SW 216 Street, between SW 88 Place and SW 93 Path, in the Lakes by the Bay community.
The plan calls for 322 homes, mixing generations under one roof. That includes 120 age-restricted units for residents 55 and older and 202 units with no age limit. About 52 percent of the project, or 167 units, will carry rental restrictions or caps. Of those, 147 are Essential Worker and Hero Housing units and 20 are set aside for military housing.
“This project is an example of how responsible planning and strong negotiations can result in a better outcome for our residents,” said Mayor Tim Meerbott. “The approved covenant helps bring needed housing, restaurants, medical services, and public amenities to the Lakes by the Bay community while ensuring environmental cleanup efforts and community benefits are part of the project.”
Priority leasing on the Hero Housing units goes to eligible essential workers, including law enforcement, firefighters, healthcare professionals, educators, public school employees, and Town employees. The 20 military units will prioritize eligible Homestead Air Reserve Base service members and civilian employees.
There is more than housing here. The project includes 25,000 square feet of medical office space, 15,500 square feet of retail, and two restaurants totaling 8,500 square feet. Neighbors also get a 3.4-acre linear park and walking trail, 12 outdoor exercise stations, public open space, 854 parking spaces, 51 public golf cart spaces with charging, and a stop for the Town circulator.
The developer committed to cleaning up the site through the Brownfields Program. The shops and restaurants have to open at the same time as the homes, so residents are not left waiting years for the rest.
“This has been a long-discussed property, and the approved covenant helps turn a vacant site into a project that provides the community with two new restaurants, medical offices, neighborhood retail shops, and additional housing options,” said Town Manager Rafael G. Casals. “The Town’s goal throughout this process has been to protect residents’ interests and secure meaningful benefits for the community.”
Several residents spoke in support at the June 17 Development Town Council Meeting, and representatives from the Lakes by the Bay community submitted an official letter of support. The project still must clear site plan review, traffic analysis, security design conditions, and ongoing compliance reporting.
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