Thursday, May 18, 2017

David Beckham group unveils new Miami stadium plan

When you've got MBU's lawyer/lobbyist using buzzwords like "paradigm shift" and talking about expecting people in South Florida to change their travel habits in order to sell your stadium plan, alarm bells should be going off. No parking, expecting people in South Florida to use public transit and to walk through a rather dicey neighborhood, to an MLS stadium? And this doesn't sound like a bad idea to anyone?

The county seems pretty set on making this happen quickly, however. Where is the due diligence? The traffic and parking impact studies? The public transit use impact studies? Will there be actual local opposition beyond just a few complaints at a public meeting? 

Well we shall see. Who knows, it might work out okay. But I wouldn't want to be risking my own money on a "paradigm shift" in a place like Overtown, though. I guess that's why Beckham & friends wanted an outsider investor/billionaire to take most of the financial risk. 

(Follow link for full article.)

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article151188752.html

David Beckham group unveils new Miami stadium plan

David Beckham’s Miami negotiators unveiled an airy, open-roof stadium for Overtown Wednesday night, a retooled design that still sticks with the central premise that the 25,000-seat soccer venue doesn’t need parking facilities.

“We’re going to be encouraging the use of Metromover, Metrorail, water taxis, ride-sharing,” said Spencer Crowley, a lawyer and lobbyist representing Miami Beckham United in its talks with Miami-Dade to buy a parcel needed for its nine-acre stadium site near the Miami River. “We view this as a paradigm shift for the county as to how people get to large events.” [. . .]

Leiweke faced the harshest questions from residents of Spring Garden, a more affluent neighborhood next to Overtown. Homeowners said the lack of garages at the Beckham facility promises to clog their neighborhood with cars and fans seeking a place to park. They argued Beckham wasn’t bringing enough to Overtown to compensate for the disruption.

“A lot of times, stadiums overpromise and underdeliver,” said Carlos Salas, a Spring Garden resident. “I don’t think we should sell out for 50 jobs.”

Among the scores of residents who expressed approval or dismay at the proposed stadium, none got applause as big as Rev. Clayton Harrell, who said he was not opposed to the stadium, but hoped members of the Beckham investor team focused their energy on helping the homeless and churches in the area.

“I say to the stockholders and people that are investing in this to make an investment in the house of God,” he said.

To address parking concerns, Leiweke unveiled a strategy he said would help keep cars away from the stadium area. He said the team plans to arrange for a dinner-cruise boat to deliver fans to the Miami River a few blocks away, and would arrange for shuttle buses from parking garages in Miami. The team plans to secure at least 2,000 spaces a game, he said. The main focus would be on the nearby Metrorail station, with the Beckham group relying on soccer’s tradition of fans “marching” to the game.

John DeLeon, a Spring Garden resident, argued soccer could help Overtown lead the way in embracing public transit.

“It’s going to help redefine who we are a community,” he said. “We’re going to be a pedestrian community.” [. . .]

Peter Ehrlich · Real Estate Investor at Industrial 59, LLC
Still huge opposition to the proposed soccer stadium. Taxpayers are still livid over the Marlins Scam and its $3 Billion cost forced upon taxpayers. This Soccer stadium in Overtown/Spring Garden requires City and County to agree to close NW 7th Street. Traffic is already bad and getting worse. Little Havana is getting more developed. Closing NW 7th Street appears to be major hurdle.

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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/soccer/fl-sp-beckham-overtown-meeting-audio-20170517-story.html

Listen: Overtown and Spring Gardens residents speak with county, Beckham reps

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http://miami.cbslocal.com/2017/05/17/town-hall-beckham-soccer-stadium/

Traffic, Safety Concern Residents Near Possible Beckham Stadium

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http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Meeting-Taking-Place-Wednesday-Over-Proposed-Overtown-Soccer-Stadium-422736814.html

Neighborhood Meeting Over Proposed Overtown Soccer Stadium

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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/soccer/fl-sp-mls-beckham-overtown-20170517-story.html

Beckham representatives face public in quest to bring MLS to Miami

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https://twitter.com/BrianBandell/status/864971912828645377

Brian Bandell‏

@BrianBandell

The planned Beckham MLS stadium in Miami

3:32 PM - 17 May 2017

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https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/6bs7pn/bandell_the_planned_beckham_mls_stadium_in_miami/

[Bandell] The planned Beckham MLS stadium in Miami. (twitter.com)

Metromover (free downtown loop) drops off ~10 blocks from stadium and metro rail (similar to most subway systems) drops off like 3 blocks from stadium. Not bad, but people don't take public transit and walk through Overtown. That said, they likely will if this goes through, as that she the only option.

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https://twitter.com/doug_hanks/status/864976298657107975

Doug Hanks‏

Verified account @doug_hanks

No parking garages at Beckham stadium, but there will be a boat!

3:49 PM - 17 May 2017

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http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article150858572.html

Neighborhood group bashes David Beckham’s stadium plan for Miami

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https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/6bqzgg/neighborhood_group_bashes_david_beckhams_stadium/

Neighborhood group bashes David Beckham’s stadium plan for Miami (miamiherald.com)

> He said the Beckham group did not have a rendering of the proposed stadium to share with the public.

How is that even possible after all this time? This group is such a mess.

While I'm inclined to disagree with NIMBYism as a rule, they might have a point about traffic/parking. Miami has 35th highest transit usage in the country, with a mode share of ~10%. Not great. Has the team discussed these plans with MetroLink? Are there going to be extra buses/trains laid on for game day? Will there be stewards to shuttle the people between the station and the stadium? Will they close the street before kickoff? Given how slapdash everything else about this bid has been, I think the locals are right to question any "plans" the team says it has.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awy1TbkLlkk

Highlights - Rowdies vs Jacksonville Armada U23 - U.S. Open Cup 2nd Round - May 16, 2017

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on May 16, 2017

HIGHLIGHTS - Check out the recap of Tuesday, May 16's 3-0 U.S. Open Cup win over Jacksonville Armada U-23 presented by Tijuana Flats. Goals by Kype Porter, Alex Morrell and Martin Paterson, propelled the Rowdies to the 3rd round of the U.S. Open Cup.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_X561mtWRg

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Jacksonville Armada FC U23 - May 16, 2017 - U.S. Open Cup - 2nd Round

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Streamed live on May 16, 2017

U.S. Open Cup - 2nd Round

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Jacksonville Armada FC U23

May 16, 2017

Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0bEju-vsQU

Rowdies' Phobias

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on May 15, 2017

What are the Rowdies most scared of? Find out in our latest Pregame Show feature!

www.RowdiesSoccer.com

Facebook.com/TampaBayRowdies

727-222-2000

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http://www.cltampa.com/arts-entertainment/sports/article/20861884/martin-paterson-scores-in-rowdies-usopen-cup

Martin Paterson makes impact in Rowdies' 2017 Open Cup debut

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http://chiefexecutive.net/game-changer-billionaire-jeff-vinik-helping-remake-tampa/

Game Changer: How Billionaire Jeff Vinik is Helping to Remake Tampa

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https://youtu.be/SIR86pWuxeY

Speed Art - Georgi Hristov, Tampa Bay Rowdies

Jonathan Arnholz

Published on May 13, 2017

With one more appearance, Tampa Bay Rowdies forward Georgi Hristov will set the club record for appearances in the Rowdies modern era (2010-Pres).

Art by Jonathan Arnholz

Follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/jarnholz

Music by DJ Quads

"Here I Go"

https://soundcloud.com/aka-dj-quads/here-i-go-vlogmusic

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https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/18/mls-stadium-gentrification-orlando-city

The club next door: as MLS expands, concerns over gentrification loom

As Major League Soccer thrives with a fleet of new soccer-specific stadiums cast as anchors for urban revitalization, the specter of gentrification only grows

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https://www.socceramerica.com/article/73437/mls-expansion-leiweke-makes-pitch-for-miami-stadi.html

MLS Expansion: Leiweke makes pitch for Miami stadium

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http://www.tbo.com/news/briefs/hometown-pinellas/2323761

St. Anthony's to offer fans care at Rowdies matches

In the fourth consecutive year of being named the official medical partner for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, St. Anthony's Hospital has expanded its role by offering care for fans at all matches. In addition to providing medical care for the team, BayCare Event Medicine now will be in the clinic space at Al Lang Stadium to assist fans in case of medical emergencies during matches.

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