New details and renderings of the proposed 25,000-seat, privately funded soccer stadium planned by Miami Beckham United in Overtown have been released. The total cost is expected to exceed $500 million with no city or county subsidy provided for the construction of the stadium. Over the next year the project will seek approvals for zoning changes and street closures as well as a vote by the Miami-Dade commission as to the sale of land needed to build the stadium which will take place in early June. Construction is expected to take 18 months with an estimated completion date 2021.
David Beckham & Miami Beckham United to Make Major Announcement on MLS Franchise by End of 2016
Photo via Miami Herald
David Beckham is pushing on in his quest to bring an MLS team to Miami and it seems that the potential new team's inaugural season may be 2019. Miami Beckham United, the corporate entity owned by Beckham and his partners, aims to make a major announcement by year end. Delays have come from continued negotiations from investor groups, including with the Milwaukee Bucks co-owner. Miami Beckham United will not ask for local subsidies to either build or operate the stadium. They also have said they plan to pay full property tax on the land as well as the venue. On December 4 2015 Miami Beckham United announced that they had executed sales contracts on a nine-acre property in Overtown which was formerlly a Miami-Dade Water and Sewer truck depot. They have been opposed to starting the team in a temporary stadium in favor of the 25,000 seat home stadium. Beckham was originally given the option to purchase an MLS franchise when he signed with the L.A. Galaxy in 2007. He had originally sought to bring the team to Port of Miami next to American Airlines Arena as well as in Little Havana next tot Marlins Park. Talks for both scenarios broke down.