David Beckham and his investors on Friday said that an MLS stadium at PortMiami would cost them $50M "more to build than at other locations," but they "still want to pursue the publicly owned waterfront site," according to Patricia Mazzei of the MIAMI HERALD. Real estate firm HR&A Advisors Chair John Alschuler, who reps Beckham, told Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez that the investors "believe they can afford the privately financed construction." Alschuler said $50M of the estimated $250M total project cost "would have to be spent on elevating the stadium from ground level -- the port’s Dodge Island is considered a flood zone -- as well as on creating a public plaza adjacent to the stadium, and on relocating parking and a daycare center for the neighboring Royal Caribbean Cruises headquarters." Mazzei noted a stadium at "one of the three other sites on the group’s list," including next to Marlins Park, would "not incur similar expenses." But Alschuler said that a stadium on the bay with views of the downtown skyline would "sell professional soccer better in terms of sponsorships, advertising and luxury suites sold, and thus would contribute more to the franchise’s financial bottom line." He added that the increased revenue estimate "doesn't take into account the possibility that the group, in addition to building on the 12-acre stadium site, could also develop the remainder of the 36 acres on the port’s southwest corner." Mazzei wrote negotiations for PortMiami will "likely accelerate with Gimenez’s administration, which has not yet committed to the location." Giminez has said that Beckham’s investors "would have to pay 'fair' rent to the county for the valuable property." Giminez: "We’re not there yet. But one way or another, we need to move on with this" (MIAMI HERALD, 4/19).
PORT BATTLEGROUND: Mazzei today reports Alschuler and former Royal Caribbean VP/Governmental Relations John Fox, who is "leading the opposition against the waterfront site," yesterday "faced off in a testy debate" on local TV over the potential PortMiami stadium. Fox, appearing on Miami-based WFOR-CBS, said that his Miami Seaport Alliance group "wants soccer but not at the port." He added that the southwest corner of Dodge Island, which is too shallow to accommodate ships, "has better uses for cruise and cargo growth." Alschuler said Royal Caribbean is against a stadium at the port "because they have a sweetheart real-estate deal" with the port for the company's HQ. He added that Royal Caribbean "will continue to have unobstructed downtown views from its main building" based on a provision in the company's current agreement (MIAMI HERALD, 4/21).
