New aspects of David Beckham's Miami MLS stadium proposal "emerged this week," including turning the Melreese golf course into a 73-acre "soccer, commercial and hotel complex" with a 28,000-seat stadium, according to Joey Flechas of the MIAMI HERALD. The details emerged when the city "published the agenda" for the July 12 city commissioners meeting. Among the "previously undisclosed details" were 10.5 acres for the 28,000-seat stadium; 138,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space; 12,000 square feet for music and entertainment; and an underground parking garage beneath multiple public soccer fields. Of the 131 acres "owned by the city of Miami at 1400 NW 37th Ave., 78 acres would be leased to the Beckham group." The remaining 58 acres would be "redeveloped into a public park," to be funded by $20M the Beckham MLS group would "pay the city." The "buzz about the plan is expected to swell from both soccer supporters and opponents of the proposal this week." Sources said that the Beckham group is "polling residents to measure public sentiment" (MIAMI HERALD, 7/4). The AP's Tim Reynolds noted if city commissioners approve the stadium plan, voters "would decide on Nov. 6 whether to change the city's charter and allow what would be a no-bid deal to lease 73 acres at the Melreese site to the group." The proposed deal would pay the city $140M in "rent payments over 39 years, a rate of roughly" $3.5M annually. Petitions are "circulating to save the course, where Tiger Woods has appeared for clinics in the past." Golfer Cristie Kerr, a Miami native, has "voiced opposition to the Melreese plan in recent months" (AP, 7/4).
Petitions are circulating to save the Melreese course, where Tiger Woods has appeared for clinics in the pastmelreese golf club
