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Miami Wilds water park project could receive $13.5m from Miami-Dade County

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Proposal to award developers $13.5 million for the Miami Wilds project, which includes a hotel, water park, and retail.

Miami-Dade County to review Miami Wilds, the first new entertainment project anchored by a water park in the Miami market. The proposed development is adjacent to Zoo Miami.

It will include a 200-room hotel, water park, and between 15,000 and 25,000 square feet of retail space (via South Florida Business Journal).

Miami Wilds was last reviewed by the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Committee in September 2020.

The county commission will consider awarding a $13.5 million grant through the county’s Economic Development Fund on November 13.

Proposed project is adjacent to Zoo Miami

https://youtu.be/y81HCbvoaoQ

Paul Lambert, co-owner and developer of Miami Wilds, said the project is expected to generate 1,500 construction and development jobs, and 600 jobs once complete.

Developers would need to invest at least $99 million into Miami Wilds, which will boast a hotel with at least 200 rooms and suites, as well as a guests-only pool.

The water park will include at least seven water slides and three attractions for children, as well as a lazy river set across 20,000 square feet and a wave pool of 40,000 square feet.

As for retail, Miami Wilds must include a minimum of five retailers or restaurants. However, retailers are not permitted to see Zoo Miami merchandise.

Lazy river and wave pool at Miami Wilds

The size of the project has been scaled down in response to environmental concerns. Lambert said the ownership group hopes to break ground in around 18 months.

The attraction would then be able to open another 18 months after that, with the water park managed and operated by ProParks Attractions Group.

The development group also includes Michael Diaz of Diaz, Reus & Targ LLP, Emmanuel Uche of East Coast Development Enterprise, Eamon Smith of TCS Capital Management, and Andre Portela of Wet ‘n Wild.

Superblue is also launching its first experiential art centre – with works by teamLab, Es Devlin and James Turrell – in Miami in early spring 2021.

Images: Lambert Advisory

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Bea Mitchell

Bea is a journalist specialising in entertainment, attractions and tech with 10 years' experience. She has written and edited for publications including CNET, BuzzFeed, Digital Spy, Evening Standard and BBC. Bea graduated from King's College London and has an MA in journalism.

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