Homestead Station is Ready for Business, and It’s Just the Beginning

Downtown Homestead will be the place you want to be for all your entertainment needs.

The long-awaited entertainment center in downtown Homestead is finally here, as the Homestead Station, the latest development to the city’s revitalization efforts, opens October 26th.

Part of a decades-long project to develop and bring a new entertainment hotspot, the City of Homestead will celebrate the grand opening of the facility with ShowBiz Cinemas, the first and only built in the state of Florida.

Headquartered in Texas, the space not only functions as a movie theater, but also features an arcade, boutique bowling lanes, a full bar, and expansive food and drink options.

“We’re creating something very special for Homestead. A true destination zone unlike anything the residents of Homestead or even South Florida has ever seen,” said Showbiz CEO, Kevin Mitchell. “I think people will be very excited to check out the ShowBiz experience, and we’re always excited to get involved in the communities we serve.”

The movie theater also offers a Superior Digital Experience (SDX), a 70-foot wall-to-wall screen, surround sound system, and fitted with over 300 reclining seats equipped with cup holders and swivel trays. It holds nine other auditoriums fitted with 66 to 100 seats.

ShowBiz will also be able to validate parking for those who leave their vehicles in the new seven-story parking garage located right next to the theater. With 1,100 parking spaces and retail options located on the ground floor, patrons can look around and shop before show time.

Starting with the restoration and reopening of the Seminole Theater, and later the complete construction of the New City Hall building, the development of the Homestead Station serves as the city’s continuing determination to bring economic growth and entertainment.

With the construction of the Station alone, 150 jobs have been created according to Kametra Driver, Executive Director for the City of Homestead’s Community Redevelopment Agency.

“The beauty of what’s happening is that we’re still seeing an expanding growth in other areas of Downtown,” said Driver. “So, we have a few new businesses that are coming in, which means more jobs as well.”

ShowBiz is also hoping to bring economic success with applications for the Homestead location already available online.

“We’re looking to hire approximately 150 employees for our Homestead location currently. During our busiest seasons, we may employ up to 120 staff members or more,” said Mitchell.

The development does not end with ShowBiz; construction on a new Bus Rapid Transit is expected to begin in January 2020 as unveiled by Miami-Dade County. The BRT will allow faster travel time from Homestead to the Dadeland South Metro Station, shortening the daily commute by 30 to 40 percent.

With the completion of the parking garage, the city will begin the expansion of Losner Park, where it will include indoor and outdoor dining, a water feature, a playground, swing set and a veteran’s memorial.

Perhaps one of the most ambitious projects scheduled for development is the Cybrarium. Described as a high-tech public library, the four-story facility will undergo its first phase which will include the first two floors; with a steam-punk themed “teen center,” a book mountain and a state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) room.

“This is going to be the best facility, we think, in the county, in the region,” said Homestead City Manager, George Gretsas. “We think people will come from all over to see this.”

Gretsas believes the cyber-library can ultimately change the way people learn by granting them access to resources and technology they may not be able to afford.

The future of the downtown area is showing great potential with so much dedication towards community engagement and entertainment. It is an exciting time for the city as more projects are being proposed and developed.

The grand opening of the Homestead Station and ShowBiz is set for Saturday, October 26, at 4pm with a celebration ceremony. The event will include inflatables, rides, vendors, food trucks and a parade; most importantly, all are welcomed to attend.

Haz clic para leer en Español: Homestead Station preparándose para su apertura, y esto es sólo el comienzo