MIAMI (WSVN) - A Miami-Dade County commissioner has announced a suit against the organizers of the proposed Formula 1 race that would be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
After commissioners failed to pass an ordinance that would have made it more difficult for the race to be held at the Miami Gardens venue Wednesday morning, Commissioner Barbara Jordan announced a suit against the Miami Dolphins and Formula 1 organizations.
“One of the things that I want you to know is that this fight is not over,” Jordan said.
The suit claims the event would violate Miami-Dade County and Miami Gardens’ noise ordinances and cause harm to residents in the area.
“We filed a lawsuit on behalf of Betty Ferguson, 12 other Miami Gardens residents and the three homeowner’s associations,” attorney Sam Dubbin said.
Protesters of the event have supported the ordinance proposed by Jordan in hopes of stopping Formula 1 racing from being held at Hard Rock Stadium.
Following the vote, one woman who is against the race could be seen walking out in tears.
“This is the United States of America, for the people by the people of the people,” she said.
The ordinance would require an event proposal like Formula 1 to first make its way to the Miami-Dade City Council, so members of the public can give their input.
Miami Gardens residents against the race said it would be a nuisance for the community due to air pollution and the noise.
Former county commissioner Betty Ferguson said Miami Gardens residents are being overlooked.
“There should never be enough money in the world to make you to put profit over people,” she said.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said the proposed race’s organizers have made several changes to accommodate residents.
Some of the changes include keeping the race to the stadium grounds and not holding races during school hours or at night, but protesters said that is not enough.
“Miami Gardens City Code says that, and this is Section 16-24, no person shall make or continue to make an unreasonably loud or ruckus noise,” said a lawyer representing the ordinance, “any noise, which unreasonably disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort proposed health, peace or safety of persons within the neighborhood.”
Many supporters of the Formula 1 race coming to Miami Gardens, like Gimenez, said it would have an immense economic impact on the city.
“This was just a rejection of some new measures that would make it more difficult for Formula 1 to actually come to Miami-Dade County,” Gimenez said. “I welcome the lawsuit, frankly, so that all of the relevant facts, the true facts of what’s going to happen there will come to light.”
The mayor also said that many of the noise and environmental concerns have also been addressed.
“I think a lot of these claims have been overblown,” he said.
In a statement, the proposed race’s organizers said impact studies showed sound levels associated with the race will not cause any hearing damage, even for people in the homes closest to the stadium.
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