Beckham's quest for Miami soccer all hinges on voters in November

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https://www.local10.com/news/elections/beckhams-quest-for-miami-soccer-all-hinges-on-voters-in-november

Beckham's quest for Miami soccer all hinges on voters in November

Ballot question could fast-track plan to build at city-owned golf course

MIAMI - David Beckham has been on a five-year quest to bring major league soccer to Miami, but the fate of the the billion-dollar project is now up to city voters.

They will decide next month whether to waive city rules so that Beckham's ownership group – which includes billionaire businessman Jorge Mas -- can build a billion-dollar complex at the site of the city-owned Melreese County Club without a competitive bidding process.

Beckman and Mas, the CEO of the construction company MasTech, are confident that voters will approve the measure.

"I've always believed in the project. That's why, for me, I never gave up. I knew Miami was the city," Beckham said.

Plans for Miami Freedom Park call for not just a soccer stadium, but retail stores, office space, an entertainment venue and more. The ownership is promising the city about $3.5 million in annual rent.

Those opposed to the project call it a real estate takeover of public green space and said that too few of the plan details have been made public.

People who live near the land also said they fear increased traffic and congestion.

If a majority of Miami voters agree to waive city competitive bidding rules, the Miami Freedom Park plan will require more negotiation before the City Commission gives its final approval.

This is how the question will appear on the November ballot:

Proposed Charter Amendment for the Lease and development of a soccer stadium and commercial complex.

Shall Miami's Charter be amended authorizing City to negotiate and execute 99-year lease with Miami Freedom Park LLC, for approximately 73 acres of City land, waiving bidding, converting Melreese Country Club (1400 Northwest 37 Avenue) at no cost to city to:

soccer stadium;

minimum 1,000,000 square feet of office, retail, and commercial uses;

minimum 750 hotel rooms;

$3,577,365 minimum annual rent;

$20,000,000 for 58-acre public park or other green space?

Bend it (the truth) like Beckham.

orry to say either Beckham has not does his homework or Mas and Suarez have mislead Beckham because I don't believe he would want his name associated with a deal in which Miami leaders totally ignore the 1.5 million dollar Parks Master Plan which calls for every acre of parkland covered over to be replaced some place in Miami. A city which happens to be the last in the nation in terms of park space per resident.

This could be a great deal but not the way it has moved forward and not the way it is presented. There are many options for a stadium, soccer fields and even keep nine holes of golf and a driving range.

But now a NO VOTE is required to make Suarez follow the process and Parks Master Plan. For an example of what a GREAT DEAL could include go to Face Book and enter: More Parks for Miami NOW.

Another thing I forgot to mention is that the infrastructure exists. they could simply extend the Metrorail to stop by the stadium (eventually paving the way for hopefully a Metrorail route to FIU)

I'll vote for yes. all the people saying "NO" are just sour because Jeffrey Loria scammed the city with Marlin Park by claiming that he didn't have money.

The answer is NO!

THE LAST thing we need is a no bid stadium... look what happened with the marlins that we are stuck with for the next 50 yrs..... and Jorge mas canosa…..are you for rea; …. this is the biggest CUBAN scum left over from the 70's... his father was the king of corruption

Reply to @tacnacs: we're stuck with Marlin Park because the city didn't investigate Jeffrey Loria on his supposed "lack of money". Jeffrey Loria was well known for undercutting both the Marlins and the Montreal Expos (now the Washington Nationals) by threatening to move the team unless the city pays for a new stadium and trading away good players for rookies just because he didn't want to pay for talent.

Vote YES ! ! !

This will bring massive tourism, massive tax dollars, benefiting all Floridians.

VOTE YES !

Reply to @MACvSOG 1970:

How many soccer games will YOU go to, troll?

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http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/columbus-crew-mls-jimmy-haslam-cleveland-browns

Cleveland Browns owners near deal to save Columbus Crew

Jimmy Haslam-backed investment group to prevent MLS franchise from Austin relocation.

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https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/10/15/new-england-revolution-break-ground-foxborough-training-facility

New England Revolution break ground on Foxborough training facility

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https://www.law360.com/tax-authority/articles/1092376/investor-group-could-keep-columbus-crew-mls-team-in-city

Investor Group Could Keep Columbus Crew MLS Team In City

Major League Soccer has announced interest from an investor group, including the owner of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, in buying the Columbus Crew, bringing the team closer to remaining in the...

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https://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/benjamin-hochman/hochman-a-lunch-with-a-lot-to-digest-kicks-off/article_3849ab27-379e-5d42-b1f9-4fa5d94647ad.html

Hochman: A lunch with a lot to digest kicks off local MLS bid

Jim Kavanaugh, CEO of World Wide Technology, (left) Andy Taylor and Carolyn Kindle Betz, of Enterprise Holdings, Wendell Covington Jr., President and CEO of Mathews-Dickey Boys & Girls Club, Chrissy Taylor and Barbara Taylor pose for pictures on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018, after a press conference at the Mathews-Dickey Boys & Girls Club in St. Louis announcing a proposal to bring a MLS expansion team to St. Louis. The scarfs they are wearing state: MLS4THELOU. Photo by J.B. Forbes, jforbes@post-dispatch.com