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Miami-Dade Mega Mall Proposal Wins Approval For Land Deal

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A developer's plan to build the nation's largest mega-mall in west Miami-Dade faced its first hurdle Tuesday.

Miami-Dade Commissioners approved just a small step toward the mammoth mega-mall.

Tuesday's vote was to endorse the sale of surplus state land, about 80 acres, so that the developer will have enough room to build the proposed 200 acre retail theme park.

However there are still countless regulatory, zoning, environmental and other hoops the project has to clear to be approved.

The proposed American Dream Miami, will feature a water park, submarine rides and an artificial ski slope. It would be built at the intersection of Florida's Turnpike and I-75 near Miami Lakes.

The company behind the proposal, Triple Five, owns and runs Minnesota's Mall of America. The proposed American Dream Miami site sits within the county's Urban Development Boundary, meaning Triple Five will need a change in the land's zoning and purchase it to move forward, according to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald.

Click on the image below to see more of the American Dream Miami.

Sea Lion Show
The eastern wing of the American Dream Miami entertainment and retail complext would feature a sea-lion show. (Source: Triple Five)
Ice Rink
Shops in the proposed American Dream Miami entertainment complext would surround an indoor ice-skating rink. (Source: Triple Five)
Americana-World-carnival
Though centered around a mall, the proposed American Dream Miami would also have a Ferris wheel, roller coaster, and 500-foot-tall observation tower. Most of it would be enclosed by a dome shown here in the artist's rendering of the theme park. Proposed for Northwest Miami-Dade County, the project comes from the developer behind Minnesota's Mall of America. (Source: Triple Five)
WWP Overview_2-Edit-72 dpi (2)
Plans for a water park at the American Dream Miami entertainment complex include 20 different "slides and water treatments," and the world's tallest indoor bungee tower. Proposed for Northwest Miami-Dade, the complex would be the largest mall in the United States. (Source: Triple Five)
American Dream Ski Hill
A rendering of a ski slope planned for American Dream Miami, a 200-acre entertainment and retail complex planned for NW Miami-Dade. (Source: Triple Five)

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said the venture promises to provide a historic boost to the county's economy.

Triple Five said it plans to employ 25,000 people during construction, and create that many permanent jobs once open. Gimenez said the planned private investment will instantly vault Triple Five into a top taxpayer, with an estimated $50 million yearly bill.

Click here to watch Gary Nelson's report. 

CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed to this report.

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