Miami commissioners vote to let public decide on soccer stadium

COCONUT GROVE, FLA. (WSVN) - City of Miami commissioners have passed a motion to allow the public to vote on the proposed Major League Soccer stadium in Miami.

After discussing the matter for hours, commissioners voted 3-2 to let voters either give or deny permission to the city to negotiate a lease deal to put a Major League Soccer stadium and complex on property just east of Miami International Airport. It would take over what is now Melreese Country Club.

Miami Commission Vice Chairman Ken Russell, widely considered to be the swing vote, said he was willing to give a vote of confidence to Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.

“I’m willing to believe in the mayor’s vision and give this a chance,” said Russell.

“We are picking a park, public land, owned by the people of Miami,” said Commissioner Manolo Reyes.

Cheers erupted in the audience when the measure was passed.

Russell’s tie-breaking vote, following days of negotiation, means the item will be placed on the ballot in November’s midterm elections.

Russell said preserving the green space that would be taken away by the complex has been his main concern all along.

“This was a difficult vote for me. I started out as a solid no because green space is paramount, but their absolute guarantee that, not only won’t we lose green space, but now that we’ll get the largest open green space that we’ve ever had, is what brought me at least to the table.”

Now Russell feels David Beckham and his group, who is working to have the stadium constructed, have a plan that suits the city and offers the best deal.

“The result of this would be the largest city park we’ve ever had, and 12 new soccer fields for our youth, and a complete replenishment of any green space that’s lost in any of the development,” he said.

Russell said being the deciding vote puts him in a position that would benefit those who would find employment at the complex.

“To then suddenly be the swing vote and say, ‘I can demand a living wage for everyone that’s on there. I can demand a revenue sharing, a percentage rent from them’ and just make this deal as good as possible, I’m comfortable putting this to the voters.”

Sending the matter to the voters means letting them decide if the property just east of MIA should remain Melreese Country Club or if the city has the green light to negotiate leasing the land to the complex, named Miami Freedom Park.

Miami soccer fans welcomed the news Wednesday night. “The fact that we are able to put the team into this vision, it just makes it a lot better,” said a fan.

Speaking with reporters, Jorge Mas of the Beckham Ownership Group said he was satisfied with the outcome of Wednesday’s meeting.

“I’m very happy, and I’m very pleased to show the City of Miami what this project will do for them,” he said.

Commissioners originally met Thursday to discuss the stadium. However, after hours of public comments, commissioners rescheduled the meeting to Wednesday to finish the discussion.

During last week’s meeting, David Beckham’s group put forth its latest proposal for the project. Since that day, they have reportedly sweetened the deal and met demands to offer more money for the construction.

However, the proposal has not been received well by everyone.

“I’m not against making money, just not at the expense of our golf course,” said an opponent of the soccer complex during last week’s commission hearing.

Possibly the biggest opposition to the complex came from the First Tee Youth Group. Members put up a tough fight to save the country club.

“It’s painful for us, because even if we do get relocated or displaced, we know somehow we’re going to lose our family,” said a spokesperson for the group. “It’s going to break us up, no matter how much we try to shuttle our family.”

But supporters also let their voices be heard.

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to have a first-class soccer complex,” said a woman.

Wednesday’s meeting was free of public comment and meant for commissioners to ask and answer questions as a continuation of Thursday’s meeting.

“We have to have visibility studies. We have to have traffic studies,” said Reyes.

Although this is far from a done deal, city leaders believe Wednesday’s vote is a step in the right direction..

“I think this is transformational for our residents, and I’m glad that the commissioners believed in our democratic process to give them the right to decide this issue,” said Suarez.

“I think we’ll be fine,” echoed Mas. “I think that the toughest issues, we’ve already faced, so I’m very confident it will give all of us a mandate to bring this vision to light in November, and we will make it happen.”

When the matter goes to voters and if they vote in favor of the stadium, it would come back to commissioners. They would then hammer out a lease deal. Final approval would require a yes vote from four out the five commissioners in order to go forward.

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