Council schedules public hearing on long‑term lease for 58‑unit workforce housing at Blanche Morton site

HIALEAH, Fla. — City council members voted to read an ordinance that would approve a long‑term ground lease for an affordable workforce housing project at city‑owned property by the Blanche Morton Neighborhood Service Center and to waive the city’s competitive procurement rules.

Danny Louie, representing Marshall Flats LLC, told the council the developer has been working on the proposal with the city for 18 months and described the project as 58 affordable workforce units to be delivered under a long‑term lease. The draft lease requires the developer to pay the city 25% of gross revenues and limits uses to workforce housing with limited ancillary uses, the city attorney’s office said.

Councilmember Perez asked whether the existing neighborhood service center tenants could continue to use space; city staff said most month‑to‑month tenants had vacated because of the condition of the existing building but that the proposed new building would provide first‑floor service space that could be offered back to neighborhood providers.

Ismarie Monreal, city CFO/COO, said existing month‑to‑month leases in the old building had largely ended and some tenants were relocating across the street; the new ground‑floor space could be made available to community service providers after construction.

The council approved the ordinance for reading and set a public hearing and second reading for the council’s June 24, 2025 meeting. The vote carried by roll call.