Hialeah Daily Briefing

Hialeah, FL — February 17, 2026 — New housing, crackdowns on gambling, and a major swim-school milestone highlight today’s top stories across the city.

Metro Grande III to Open Soon, Adding Affordable Housing

A new phase of transit-oriented housing is nearing its debut by the Hialeah Metrorail station. Metro Grande III, part of a larger mixed-use complex, is scheduled for a grand opening on February 27. The project adds another midrise building with hundreds of units aimed at workforce and moderate-income renters.

Developers highlight the building’s proximity to rail, nearby retail, and other services as a way to ease commutes and support residents who work throughout Miami-Dade. City leaders are expected to use the opening to underscore Hialeah’s push for more housing choices close to transit.

Illegal Gambling Machines Targeted in Major Bar Raid

Hialeah police and state investigators recently carried out a large raid at a local bar, seizing multiple gaming machines and arresting more than a dozen people connected to suspected illegal gambling. Authorities say the operation had been under investigation for months before officers moved in late last week.

Dozens of machines and a significant amount of cash were taken as evidence. Officials emphasize that unlicensed cash-payout games remain illegal and that similar operations will face stepped-up enforcement. The case is expected to move forward in county court as regulators review the seized equipment.

Ocaquatics Swim Schools Mark 32 Years in the Community

A regional swim school with a long footprint in northwest Miami-Dade is celebrating a major milestone. Ocaquatics Swim School, which operates a location serving Hialeah and Hialeah Gardens families, has reached 32 years in business and roughly 3.2 million swim lessons taught.

Leaders at the school say the anniversary is a reminder of how critical year-round instruction has become in South Florida, where home pools, canals, and lakes are part of daily life. The company credits small class sizes and warm indoor pools with helping thousands of local children build confidence and basic water-safety skills.

With the spring season approaching, the school expects another uptick in enrollment from parents looking to get kids ready for summer around the water.

Rail Hub Continues to Draw New Investment

Developers are also banking on Hialeah’s rail corridors for future growth. A separate multifamily project near the city’s rail hub recently secured more than $40 million in construction financing for nearly 200 new rentals, according to industry reports.

The deal is another sign that investors see Hialeah as a long-term center for working families who want faster access to downtown Miami and the airport without giving up neighborhood ties. City planners have pointed to these projects as part of a broader shift toward denser housing near transit.

Sources

• https://hoodline.com/2026/02/hialeah-rail-hub-booms-as-developer-snags-43-3m-for-189-new-rentals/
• https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivAFBVV95cUxOckl5RkVCakZ3QkZHcXBnWDJwbDBhQ3NRemRiTzlHVjZOYWxDME
• https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiswFBVV95cUxPY21SeWtMRVN4R1RIYXNWUkNwRTE3VFVqMjZlNVhkcWVaakxjW
• https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwwFBVV95cUxOam83eXhoeVFWeEhnV3NUdE42UEt4c1QxX0dkVk5SeDZfLTZiOFF