Officials in Miami suburb fume as shuttered trailer park is tangled in weeds, litigation
Residents of the Little Farm trailer park were outraged to learn that the place they called home had been sold from under them back in 2015. It was the fourth time they had a new owner in 10 years — except this time their new owner was kicking them out.
Little Farm was bought in February of 2015 by Wealthy Delight LLC, controlled by Wai Kin ”‘Leo” Wu, a Chinese businessman who lives in Canada. Shortly after, the residents were told they would need to clear out as the land had been rezoned and a new development would replace the park. That sparked a legal battle between residents, the new owners, the old owners and the small, quiet El Portal, the village just north of Miami, where the old park was located.
The park was demolished soon after and now, seven years after many of the ex-residents were rendered homeless, the land still sits empty. El Portal is desperate to see it come to life.
“It’s really sad that it’s been sitting there dormant for so long,” said Omarr Nickerson, El Portal mayor, in an interview with the Miami Herald.
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But there are hurdles to overcome before it can be developed. The land got wrapped up in a lawsuit in late 2020 involving efforts to redevelop the old immigration building at 79th Street and Biscayne Boulevard. Money raised from Chinese investors for that 79th Street project was allegedly diverted to pay for Wu’s purchase of the trailer park. Now that issue is in litigation, with a court-appointed receiver in charge.
There’s more: The land has environmental issues, due in part to the village’s reliance on septic tanks to dispose of waste.
“It just seems like with that piece of property, there always seems to be something going on to where it can’t get over that hump to really become what it could be,” Nickerson said. The village has heard from interested buyers in the past, officials said.
Michael Goldberg, the receiver, is currently in control of the property until it is sold, which may be imminent. That would enable the Chinese investors to recoup some of their money. But the trailer park property’s environmental problems have made the sale more challenging.
The receiver confirmed to the Herald that the property is expected to go into contract shortly with a buyer who will take responsibility for addressing the environmental issues.
Where does all that leave El Portal? Frustrated, but hopeful.
Christia Alou, the village clerk, told the Herald that through the years residents have complained about the state of the land. She said the stewards of the property have arranged cleanups periodically.
The property has been a magnet for trespassers.
Alou said the property manager, a man named Abdul, calls the police department once or twice a month to get them to shoo trespassers off the property. The police, in turn, inform Abdul whenever they spot an opening in the fence.
In a short phone conversation with the Herald, Abdul said he is charged by a company called Comar Castle LLC with keeping an eye on the property, but said any questions should go to others, such as Goldberg, the receiver.
Attempts to get in touch with Comar Castle were unsuccessful.
Over the years, the village has had “sparing” contact with the mysterious Wealthy Delight. When it connected, the village would ask what the plan was and when something would get built.
Permits were submitted for demolishing what was there but not for actually building anything.
Still, the village has high hopes that once the land is sold yet again it will bring vitality and money.
Nickerson said he would like to see a multi-use property, with high-rises on Biscayne, and greener areas, including bike paths, on the western part of the property, near existing homes.
“Bring in development. Bring in businesses. Bring in companies. Bring in corporations,” Nickerson said.
For the half-square-mile village with fewer than 2,000 residents, revenue from business taxes would make a big difference, Nickerson said.
“Any development going there. Any businesses going there, come on in,” said Nickerson. “Whoever you are, come on in! Trader Joe’s, come on in! We want great companies there that our residents can take advantage and make use of.”
He emphasized the extra income would help immensely with advancing the village’s infrastructure.
“We’re all on septic tanks here in El Portal. We’re trying to bring in [sewer lines], we’re trying to build storm drains so we don’t flood out anymore,” he said. “That’s what we’re focused on, and having business revenue come in for a property that large will do a lot for our community.”
This story was originally published April 9, 2023 at 7:00 AM.
