George Rahael, Gisele Rahael, and Michael Rahael of Amera Corp. {courtesy city of Coral Springs}
The developer behind the planned City Village project in Coral Springs has submitted new plans for the property at Sample Road and University Drive.
Amera Corporation on Tuesday said its plans for the western four acres of the 12-acre, mixed-use project site – envisioned as Coral Springs’ new downtown – include the construction of 300 residential units and almost 20,000 square feet of commercial space on land where Coral Springs City Hall once stood.
A plan previously submitted to the city by Amera for the entire 12-acre property included 412 residential units and 150,000 square feet of commercial space, including a 40,000-square-foot Whole Foods.
According to Amera, Coral Springs commissioners in November 2023 decided not to grant certain special exception approvals required for that plan to proceed.
After the commission’s denial, Amera went back to the drawing board and “listened to the concerns of the residents and the commission,” said Michael Rahael, Vice President of Amera.
“We charged our team with coming up with a plan that incorporated those concerns while eliminating as many special exceptions as possible,” Rahael said. “We paid special attention to the [height] issues concerning the residential neighborhoods along the northern border of the site.”
The new plans submitted to the city also reflect Amera’s intention to focus on developing the westernmost four acres of the property first, according to the corporation.
“As we continue through the process, we will schedule times, outside of public hearings, for us to share the plans with the community and get their input and feedback,” said Amera President Gisele Rahael.
Amera is known for The Walk on University Drive and is credited for bringing Trader Joe’s to Coral Springs and keeping Barnes and Noble Booksellers in the city, according to the corporation. Amera is also known for developing the One Charter Place building at the southeast corner of Sample Road and University Drive, its executives said.
In Oct. 2020, Coral Springs’ Office of Economic Development announced the city commission’s approval of Amera’s conceptual plans for the development of the northwest quadrant of the City Village project and the sale of the property where City Hall once stood.
The city-owned property was sold to Amera for $4.6 million, city officials said at the time.
City Village is envisioned as a thriving downtown that will attract revenue and new businesses, including retail, restaurants, and entertainment.
It’s not clear when the city will decide on Amera’s latest plans for the project, which is expected to be built in phases.
The developer has not yet submitted its plans for the east side of the 12-acre property, where an old shopping plaza currently sits.
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