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Council approves 50‑year lease with charter school and secures city access to gymnasium
Summary
After extended public comment and attorney explanations, the council approved a 50‑year lease with Coahuila (a charter school) and added explicit lease language and an exhibit to preserve the city's scheduled use rights of the gymnasium and certain park improvements for residents.
The City of Hialeah voted to authorize a long‑term lease with City of Hialeah Education Academy (Coahuila/Cohea) for land at 2590 West 76th Street, including a 50‑year term for school facilities, with clarifying language to preserve city access rights to a gymnasium and park improvements.
Residents and several council members pressed the city and Coahuila representatives on whether the public would retain access to Slate Park and the new gym once construction is complete. Multiple speakers warned the current use agreements and resolutions were "fuzzy" about long‑term resident access. Coahuila counsel Hugo Arzo said the school would construct park improvements and that "the city shall have use rights of the gym" including weekday and weekend hours and fuller access during school recess. City counsel and the applicant agreed to add a sentence to the lease/exhibit clarifying that "notwithstanding anything else in the terms of the use agreement, it is agreed... the use of the gymnasium by the parties will be governed by city ordinances and regulations." The Coahuila representative indicated willingness to memorialize those hours in the lease.
Council added the clarification to exhibit language and approved the lease as amended; the motion passed after roll call. Supporters argued the lease brings major capital improvements to Slate Park (pickleball courts, soccer pitches, track and a gym) that the city will own once constructed; critics sought stronger, written guarantees that residents’ access would be preserved. The administration said the lease contains standard protections including compliance with laws and a material‑breach remedy if the tenant fails to grant agreed access.
Officials said construction will proceed in phases and that tenant work exhibits require coordination to minimize park impacts, including parking, noise and fencing during construction. The lease includes leasehold mortgage provisions to allow typical financing while protecting the city's fee ownership.
