Council approves first reading of COHIA expansion after developers revise plan to preserve ballfield

The Hialeah City Council on first reading approved an ordinance granting a conditional-use permit to expand City of Hialeah Education Academy (COHIA), allowing an increase of 250 students to a maximum enrollment of 1,250 at property addressed 2590 West 76th Street.

The revised site plan presented to the council repositions new classroom buildings toward the park perimeter, preserves the existing north softball field and adds recreation amenities — including multiuse turf fields, pickleball courts and a gymnasium — to be built at COHIA’s expense and owned by the city. Hugo Arza, counsel for COHIA, told the council the changes were made “in the spirit of collaboration” after feedback from the council and community.

Why it matters: The plan had drawn opposition because earlier versions would have removed a softball field and taken usable green space in Carl F. Slade Park. The revised design keeps the northern softball field “exactly as it is today,” Arza said, and replaces the other field area with new programmed recreation space the city can use. Council members said the revisions addressed several community concerns and would preserve public park functions while enabling the school to expand.

What council heard: Speakers at the meeting included alumni, students and the school’s founding principal. Alumna Natalie Lopez described COHIA as a community asset and said 76% of current students are Hialeah residents, which she said argued for expansion that serves local families. A student, Nakoso Carras, said the expansion would help students “be the leaders, professionals, and the citizens who will carry this city forward.” A letter read into the record by staff on behalf of the Slade family opposed any annexation of parkland by the school and warned of precedent if the city ceded park space to private interests.

Details of the revised plan: COHIA’s team said the new campus layout moves new construction into existing parking corridors along the south and west park perimeter and keeps the north softball field intact. The school says the city will reclaim use of the recreation center, courts and library areas COHIA currently uses and that the gym will be available to the city year-round when school is not in session; Arza said the school added a weekday evening (Wednesday) to the previously offered city-access evenings (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) to increase public access. The presentation included the applicant’s square-footage estimates for usable green space: an existing estimate of about 289,000 square feet; the initial proposal reduced that to about 234,000 square feet (a net loss of roughly 50,000 sq ft); the revised plan restored most green space so the only net loss cited in the presentation was roughly 7,000 square feet along a perimeter parking area.

Financial/ownership points: Counsel told the council the buildings would be built by COHIA but owned by the City of Hialeah and that the previously disclosed financial arrangement between the city and the school remains unchanged. Arza said recreational improvements will be constructed at COHIA’s cost and offered to continue coordinating scheduling and use with the Parks Department.

Action and next step: The council approved the item on first reading (agenda item 17C) by roll-call motion; the ordinance will return for second reading and public hearing on Jan. 28, 2025. The motion to approve was made by Councilmember Zogby and seconded by Councilmember Melinda de la Vega; Councilmember Perez voted no.

Council reaction and context: Multiple council members praised the revisions as responsive to resident concerns and emphasized that the park will remain public and in city ownership. Planning staff and the applicant said further permitting discussions with parks staff will finalize layouts and operating details for the new recreation amenities.