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Inter Miami CF’s Fort Lauderdale Facility Plan Approved

Inter Miami CF stadium rendering

Inter Miami CF‘s plan to redevelop Fort Lauderdale’s Lockhart Stadium site with a new stadium and training academy is moving forward, as city officials approved an agreement with the team.

A city-owned property that was once home to Lockhart Stadium and the adjacent Fort Lauderdale Stadium has been targeted by Inter Miami CF–an MLS expansion club backed by an investment group that features David Beckham–for a project that will include a training academy and new 18,000-seat stadium. The stadium would open in 2020, and serve as Inter Miami CF’s temporary home until a new Miami stadium can be completed. It would also host a USL club on a permanent basis.

An agreement between Inter Miami CF and the city for the project was unanimously approved by Fort Lauderdale commissioners on Tuesday. As part of the deal, Inter Miami CF will also develop park space and other community amenities on a portion of the site. More from the Sun-Sentinel:

“This is a really a wonderful turning point in our community,” Mayor Dean Trantalis said. “Congratulations. We’ll be there for the first kick.”

The 18,000-seat Fort Lauderdale stadium and the 25,000-seat Miami stadium would be about an hour apart, by car.

For the public in Fort Lauderdale, the transformation will include sports fields, a city park and a home football field for two high schools — Fort Lauderdale and Stranahan — that currently have none….

Under the terms of the deal, no money changes hands. In return for use of the property for 50 years, Beckham United will construct sports fields, a trail, playground, and park space on the southern portion of the property, for the community.

Both Fort Lauderdale Stadium and Lockhart Stadium have been demolished, as Inter Miami CF was able to begin demolition work in May.

As noted, the new stadium in Fort Lauderdale is slated to host MLS action on a temporary basis until Inter Miami CF can secure a new stadium in Miami. Currently, Inter Miami CF investors are pursuing a new Miami stadium and surrounding development at the site of the city-owned Melreese County Club. That plan–Miami Freedom Park–calls for a new privately financed stadium to open in 2022 at the earliest, but those discussions are far from settled.

Rendering courtesy Inter Miami CF.

RELATED STORIES: Inter Miami CF Begins Accepting Season Ticket and Suite Deposits; Judge Allows Lockhart Stadium Demolition to ProceedCompeting Group Aims to Stop Alleged Lockhart Stadium Demolition WorkCompeting Group Sues Fort Lauderdale, Inter Miami CF Over Lockhart Stadium Deal; Inter Miami CF Gets Clearance for Lockhart Stadium DemolitionInter Miami CF’s Lockhart Stadium Pitch Moves ForwardProposed Fort Lauderdale Stadium Would Host Inter Miami CF for Two SeasonsInter Miami CF’s Lockhart Stadium Plan UnveiledInter Miami CF Faces Competition for Lockhart Stadium RedevelopmentInter Miami CF Training Academy Pitched for Lockhart Stadium Site

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