MLS owners met on Saturday and "announced their support for David Beckham’s proposed Overtown stadium site for his Miami expansion team," according to Michelle Kaufman of the MIAMI HERALD. Beckham and his partners Friday "ended their pursuit of a Little Havana stadium next to Marlins Park in favor of a nine-acre site," which is "made up of a privately-owned 4.2-acre parking lot, a county owned truck depot and a vacant lot managed by the Water and Sewer Department." The plan is for a "stadium of 25,000 to 30,000 seats." MLS Commissioner Don Garber said, "Their vision for a world-class venue within the urban core that is accessible by mass transportation is impressive, and we believe it will be an important part of the continued revitalization of the area." Kaufman noted neither Beckham nor "anyone in his investment group attended the meeting" with the MLS BOG. The Overtown site is the "fourth explored by Beckham during his nearly two-year quest for a Miami MLS franchise." The first three "ran into political and economic hurdles" (MIAMI HERALD, 12/6). In Miami, Hanks & Smiley noted the latest deal "calls for Beckham’s group to own all the real estate, dropping its effort to elude property taxes by having a government serve as the stadium’s landlord." Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez: “This is a much better deal for the taxpayer." Beckham would "acquire the county land under the state’s economic-development laws, which allow governments to circumvent bidding procedures when a buyer agrees to certain hiring and spending targets." In a letter to Gimenez, Beckham’s group "pledged to spend" at least $150M building the stadium and "described the project as a boon to the stadium area as well as surrounding neighborhoods." The site sits "within city limits, and Miami commissioners would need to accept any zoning changes for constructing an open-air stadium expected to be far larger" than AmericanAirlines Arena and only slightly smaller than Marlins Park (MIAMI HERALD, 12/5).
FEELING MINNESOTA: In St. Paul, Frederick Melo noted while NASL club Minnesota United FC fans "envision a future of professional soccer players dribbling across an immaculate grass field," city planners "envision new residential and commercial buildings, ranging from three to 15 stories." An advisory committee of 24 civic leaders will "host its first meeting Thursday to discuss the future of the site." A "major partner in the ownership of Minnesota United FC, the Pohlad family and its United Properties real estate group, has expressed interest in partnering with RK Midway on a redevelopment" of the site. Nothing "is finalized" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 12/4).
