On Tuesday, the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners approved a multibillion-dollar redevelopment plan by SG Holdings to revitalize more than 60 acres of public land in the Little River and Little Haiti neighborhoods. Before giving a green light to the project, District 3 Commissioner Keon Hardemon introduced several amendments to the proposal.
“This approval is a major milestone in addressing Miami’s critical need for affordable and workforce housing,” said Michael Swerdlow, founder and CEO of Swerdlow Group in a press release. “At a time when population growth is fueling demand for housing and everyday services, the Little River District will deliver a community that prioritizes affordable and quality housing, accessibility to public transit, and economic opportunity for local residents and business owners with the goal of generating prosperity for the highly deserving communities of Little Haiti and Little River.”
SG holdings is a joint venture comprised of Swerdlow Group, SJM Partners and Alben Duffie.
The ambitious project will include the reconstruction of several public housing sites, such as Victory Homes, Newberg, Gwen Cherry 22, Gwen Cherry 06 and New Haven Gardens. It will create more than 5,000 mixed-income housing units, new retail spaces including big-box stores like Home Depot and BJs, and a new Tri-Rail station.
Community leaders and local residents had voiced concerns in previous meetings, urging SG Holdings to integrate community benefits into the project. In March, residents, along with various nonprofits, called on the Miami-Dade Housing Committee to advocate for worker protections, responsible contractors and affordable housing rates. SG Holdings committed to these demands, pledging to include them in their proposal.
Pastor Jacques St. Louis of Grace Evangelical Baptist Church surrounded by individuals who form the Build a Better Miami Coalition during a community meeting last month.
“We’re not against progress; we just want it to be fair for all,” said Pastor Jacques St. Louis of Grace Evangelical Baptist Church at a community meeting hosted by the Build a Better Miami Coalition in March.
Included in the project's Community Benefits Agreement are provisions to ensure that 25% of new hires for subcontractors during construction will be low-income or public housing residents. Additionally, 30% of construction subcontracts will be allocated to small, minority- or women-owned businesses.
The agreement further outlines that 30% of all permanent post-construction jobs will be reserved for Section 3 residents, and that the developer will work with Home Depot to give public housing residents priority for additional job opportunities, creating at least 3,840 construction jobs and 518 permanent positions.
Other community commitments include supporting local businesses, healthcare, education and affordable housing through lease revenues, and leveraging federal tax credits to enhance affordable housing. The development will also ensure commercial tenants host job fairs with priority for local residents. Wi-Fi will be available in common areas, and free high-speed internet will be provided for Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) units for 20 years. All buildings with RAD units have swimming pools and a fitness room.
The project will also aim to provide vital services to residents. The developer will build the Tri-Rail station, an estimated $34.5 million investment. Within six months of starting the project, SG Holdings will also donate $250,000 to Miami-Dade College for tuition assistance to 25 local public housing residents, $100,000 to the Urban Construction Craft Academy for job training, and another $100,000 to Cambridge College of Healthcare and Technology for healthcare training. The company will also collaborate with Florida International University’s Construction Trades Program and the Epilepsy Alliance Florida for housing options, in addition to hosting regular community engagement meetings.
Moreover, all 314 RAD units will be replaced individually, guaranteeing no displacement for current residents.
Worker protection demands were also included on the development. SG Holdings must ensure that all construction workers are paid according to Davis-Bacon wage rules, monitor compliance, and address any violations or penalties. The project will also include heat protections for workers, with the contractor held responsible for any injuries that occur on the job. Workers’ compensation Insurance will be provided as required by Florida Statute 440.
“SG Holdings remains committed to working with construction partners who uphold labor standards and prioritize job site safety during the course of this multi-year project,” SG Holdings stated in the press release.
Hardemon also included additional amendments to further support residents. He requested that all new units be fully furnished, with professional moving services provided for existing tenants relocating to new buildings. He also called for a computer lab with a minimum of five computers, along with free Tri-Rail passes for all tenants once the new station opens. Additionally, free swimming lessons will be offered every summer to minor residents in the RAD units.
Lastly, Hardemon ensured that RAD tenants will be protected from excessive late fees, limiting them to no more than 5% of the total payment, in accordance with the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines. A 10-day grace period for RAD residents’ rent payments will also be allowed as per federal leasing standards.
With the Community Benefits Agreement in place, construction is expected to begin in 2026.
