NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. – The developer behind Minnesota's Mall of America, the largest mall in the U.S., wants to build what could easily become the largest mall in the world in Northwest Miami-Dade, the Miami Herald reports.
According to the Herald, the company Triple Five, is seeking to build a 200-acre entertainment complex complete with roller coasters, a Legoland, sea lions and simulated ski slopes.
"It is, we believe, the largest private investment -- the largest economic project -- in Miami-Dade County history," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez.
The mall and theme park, referred to as Americana World, would be located off Florida's Turnpike and Interstate 75 and could cost as much as $4 billion to build. The mayor acknowledged that the mall's opening could cause some congestion.
"Most of the traffic is going to stay on the major highways," said Gimenez. "It'll stay either on the Turnpike or I-75. We don't believe it's going to be traveling through any of the residential areas."
WATCH: South Florida residents react to possible mega-mall
County officials expect the mall to create 25,000 construction jobs and another 25,000 jobs within the attraction.
Gimenez said no tax-payer dollars would be used for the project.
"It increases the tax base tremendously for our school board and for Miami-Dade County," said the mayor. "And so, all in all we're very interested in this project and hoping it could come to fruition."
The developer would purchase private and state-owned land to build the attraction.
Gimenez is expected to appear in front of county commissioners March 17. Commissioners will then have to decide whether to approve the transaction.
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