Firm Represents Developer for New Project

EXCLUSIVE: Wawa proposes store at supermarket retail project in Miami-Dade County

Convenience store and gas station chain Wawa has identified its second location in Miami-Dade County, this time in the half near Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport.

The three-building retail project where popular brand aims to build the store would also feature a new supermarket.

Leon Tamiami Holdings, managed by Leon Medical Centers Chairman Benjamin Leon Jr., submitted a pre-application zoning filing to Miami-Dade County officials on Oct. 24 concerning the 4.8-acre site at the northwest corner of Southwest 120th Street and Northwest 137th Avenue. The vacant two parcels were acquired for $11 million in 2007 and $2.63 million in 2008, so Leon held onto them through the recession.

The development plan calls for an 6,199-square-foot Wawa with 16 fueling stations, an 18,098-square-foot ALDI discount supermarket, and a 6,200-square-foot office building. It was designed by Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, which has done multiple Wawa projects.

Miami attorney Melissa Tapanes Llahues, who represents Leon in the application, couldn’t immediately be reached for comment. A pre-application is filed by developers so they can gather feedback from county agencies prior to submitting an official development application.
Pennsylvania-based Wawa has been aggressively seeking locations in South Florida because it sees this as a strong growth market. The chain offers gas, coffee and fresh food with 24/7 service. The first Wawa in Miami-Dade was announced as part of the development of the shopping center at 18000 N.W. 27th Ave. in Miami Gardens.

Previously, Wawa said it wants to have 50 locations in South Florida in the next five years. Each store is a $6 million investment and employs 40 people. — Brian Bandell

Published Nov. 2, 2016 in the South Florida Business Journal