Companies hired by the state to operate Alligator Alcatraz were notified Monday morning to begin “full demobilization” of the facility, quietly bringing an ignominious close a $1.2 billion experiment that had once been hailed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump as a model other states should pursue, four sources familiar with the operations of the detention center told CBS News Miami.

“All vendors got the notice,” one source explained.

The final few detainees left the facility last week, either being transferred to other detention centers or deported to third countries.

Federal and state officials at the time said it was due to safety concerns over the start of hurricane season. 

They even suggested the facility would remain ready to take on new detainees.

In fact, officials familiar with the plan told CBS News Miami that it was always the intention to begin full demobilization by taking down fencing and removing trailers and other structures built at the site located in the middle of the Florida Everglades. 

That demobilization effort is expected to take several days, and once it is completed, the site will reopen as a small airport used to train pilots.

The decision to close the facility has been speculated for the past two months, with even DeSantis saying he expected it to close soon.

“If we shut the lights out tomorrow, we will be able to say it served its purpose,” DeSantis said earlier this month during a press conference.

The decision to close Alligator Alcatraz was due primarily to the escalating cost of operating the facility, which was once hailed by President Trump as a model for other states to emulate. 

The total cost for the detention is now estimated to be $1.2 billion.

Opened on July 3, 2025, the detention center was the brainchild of DeSantis and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and built using state tax money. 

At the time, DeSantis maintained that the state would be reimbursed by the federal government for all of its expenses. 

However, that funding has yet to come through. State officials submitted a $608 million request at the end of last year. 

It was eventually approved by federal officials, but the actual reimbursement has been held up because of court challenges, environmental concerns and other issues.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) – Police are investigating a hit-and-run that sent a man to the hospital in Miami Gardens.

The incident happened near the intersection of Northwest 191st Street and 5th Place when a car struck a man who was kneeling in the road.

According to police, the driver stopped and yelled to witnesses to call police and then drove off.

Officials said the victim was rushed to Aventura Hospital in critical condition.

If you know anything, call Miami-Dade Crimestoppers at 305-471-tips.

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It was only a year ago that Duncan Robinson was traded to Detroit in a sign-and-trade for Simone Fontecchio. Now, in the present, the Miami Heat are in the mix for Giannis Antetokounmpo, a trade that would likely include multiple teams, one of which is the Detroit Pistons.

The Pistons are rumored to have interest in the Miami Heat’s star guard Tyler Herro, and they would have to match the salary they take in to be eligible to make a deal. Some combination of Ducnan Robinson, Isaiah Stewart, Caris LeVert, and Paul Reed, would make the deal legal.

Why Miami Should Bring Him Back

The all-time Miami Heat leader in three-pointers made would be a perfect fit for a team led by Giannis and Bam Adebayo. The talks about Miami acquiring Giannis have gone straight to, who will score? Bring Duncan back, who had a career year in Detroit and that problem is solved, at least partially (the roster would still need more pieces).

The dribble hand offs, Duncan’s cutting ability, his three-point prowess, it would instantly make Miami’s offense more dangerous and would give them the opportunity to decide on retaining Norman Powell, or using the money tied up to him for other players.

Duncan Robinson had a Net on/off of +10.4 and was huge to Detroit’s success this past season. When Robinson was on the floor, the Pistons were better, simply put.

What This Means for a Deal

Because Detroit originally acquired Duncan Robinson via sign-and-trade, he is legally barred from returning to Miami during the current league year. For a multi-team blockbuster to bring both Robinson and Giannis Antetokounmpo to South Beach, the trade must be agreed to in principle now, but held until the new league year opens on July 1st.

This timing works perfectly for draft assets, allowing Miami to select at No. 13 on Milwaukee’s behalf. Furthermore, a July 1st execution date becomes mandatory if Nikola Jovic is involved due to his poison-pill restriction, and it opens the door to an even larger framework if Andrew Wiggins opts into his player option or Norman Powell enters the mix as a sign-and-trade candidate.

Duncan Robinson averaged 18 points per game in the second round of this year’s playoffs and shot an incredible 58.8% from three.

Acquiring Giannis is step one for the Miami Heat, but filling out the roster is equally as important as depth wins, especially late in the year.

Bringing back Duncan Robinson is a real possibility, and it would be a huge win for the Miami Heat.