Beckham, Mas To Push For Referendum On Soccer Stadium Land

Miami commissioners today will hear a presentation from David Beckham and his business partner Jorge Mas on their plan for an MLS stadium complex on the Melreese Country Club site. Commissioners could vote today to "hold a referendum in November when voters could decide if they want to change Miami's laws so the city administration could negotiate a deal for Beckham's group to lease more than half" of the golf club. That would require a change in Miami's "rules for competitive bidding on private use of public land" (MIAMI HERALD, 7/12). Plenty of local observers are "worried about how the sprawling complex would affect their lives" (MIAMI HERALD, 7/12).

The MIAMI HERALD editorial board is skeptical of the deal, writing, "Don't roll over for this one, city commissioners. The original plan for a 25,000-seat soccer stadium remains attractive. But there has yet to be any justification for plunking down a 'city within a city.'"