Miami-Dade commissioners agreed Tuesday to lease five acres in one of the county's most impoverished neighborhoods to NBA star Alonzo Mourning for $1 a year.

In turn, Mourning, who is hoping to resume playing for the Miami Heat after an injury last season, promised to build 190 much-needed rental apartments for families and the elderly -- with swimming pools, clubhouses, fitness centers, even fountains.

The deal is dependent on Mourning's nonprofit Alonzo Mourning Charities securing tax credits from Tallahassee. To do so, he must be able to prove he controls the land.

Mourning couldn't guarantee the credits would go through, but the agreement gives the county some leeway, allowing it to retake a portion of the property in 2010 if nothing is built, and recoup the entire site by 2012.

Mourning -- who with art collector and developer Martin Margulies built a thriving youth center in Overtown five years ago -- attended Tuesday's session. ''Trust me, it's going to turn into something special,'' he said, saying Overtown's children deserve the same opportunities as others. ``They have the ability. They just don't have the resources.''

Mourning's team estimated the average apartment would cost $228,000. How the project would be funded wasn't explained.

The property adjacent to the Culmer Neighborhood Service Center would consist of three buildings containing two- and three-bedroom apartments that would be leased to residents earning 60 percent or less of the county's adjusted median income.

Only Commissioner Katy Sorenson voted against the proposal, saying there was no competitive process.

Commissioner Barbara Jordan thanked Mourning for the work he and wife Tracy did to get the Children's Trust referendum passed in November. Commissioner Joe Martinez said he was supporting the motion because he trusted Mourning's word. ''The person you display on the court, I hope you put into this,'' he said.

Mourning said he came up with the idea while surveying the neighborhood as the youth center was being built.

''I'm very much aware of all the false promises that were made in this community,'' he said.

The commission also agreed to:

• A proposal by Commissioner Rebeca Sosa to simplify the wording of county documents so it's easier for the public to understand memos and reports.

• Let people eat and drink on Metrorail platforms.

• Ask the Legislature for more money and lengthier waits for those who might be evicted from mobile home parks.

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