Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez yesterday "upended the negotiations with David Beckham and his investors" by proposing that the group consider building an MLS stadium "on the downtown waterfront -- but not at PortMiami," according to Patricia Mazzei of the MIAMI HERALD. Gimenez as an alternative "proposed filling a massive boat slip between Museum Park and AmericanAirlines Arena, which, according to the mayor, would create enough new land for a stadium as well as a pedestrian walkway along Biscayne Bay." Mazzei writes the mayor's request could "significantly shift the soccer debate." Gimenez said that PortMiami is "still in play" for a stadium, as are "other potential sites." Miami Beckham United in a statement said that it will "examine the feasibility of filling the slip and building a stadium." Miami Seaport Alliance President John Fox, whose group opposes a port stadium, said that the organization would "not put up resistance to locations outside of PortMiami’s Dodge Island." Mazzei notes no one is "suggesting that filling and building" at the slip "would be easy -- or cheap." The property is "owned by the city of Miami, which would have to sell it or convey it to the county." Gimenez said that municipal attorneys would "have to determine if a vacant slip falls under that provision" (MIAMI HERALD, 5/6).
