David Beckham yesterday said the new proposed site along the downtown waterfront for an MLS stadium that is just north of AmericanAirlines Arena is "great" and "equally as good as what we had" at the originally proposed PortMiami site, according to Patricia Mazzei of the MIAMI HERALD. While Beckham "didn’t go as far as to call the slip his top choice ... he made it clear that he does not envision his new team playing in the suburbs." Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez has "asked Beckham and his investors" to consider filling the deep-water boat slip instead of pushing for a stadium at PortMiami. Several city commissioners "sounded more open" to the new site than PortMiami. However, the new site "has begun to draw its own detractors." Former Miami-Dade Mayor Manny Diaz on Tuesday "slammed Gimenez’s proposal, comparing it to the Marlins’ failed effort to bring a ballpark to what was then called Bicentennial Park and is now Museum Park." Diaz "is known as a behind-the-scenes supporter for putting a soccer stadium next to the Marlins’ actual ballpark" (MIAMI HERALD, 5/8). Beckham said "it was never going to be a smooth ride" and his group "understands the concerns" with various proposed locations (MIAMIHERALD.com, 5/7).
