Becks stadium in the balance

– Miami voters will have their say in November on David Beckham’s latest plan for a Major League Soccer stadium development in the city, after a vote by city commissioners on Wednesday.

The Miami City Commission voted 3-2 to place a referendum on the November 6 ballot that would open the door for the complex on city-owned land that is now occupied by a municipal golf course.

The proposal by former England star Beckham (above) and his business partners includes a 25 000-seat stadium for an expansion MLS club, along with 23 acres of youth football pitches with artificial turf, a 750-room hotel, restaurant, retail and office space plus a 58-acre public park.

The commission delayed a vote last week after a presentation by the investment group was followed by hours of public comment both for and against the plan.

Those opposed included a group from the First Tee Miami youth golf programme based at the Melreese Country Club site.

Wednesday’s move by the commission will let voters decide whether to allow the city to change its laws and waive competitive bidding and authorise the commission to negotiate a 99-year lease of the site.

If voters approve, a lease agreement must gain approval of four of the five commissioners.

On Wednesday, Beckham’s business partner Jorge Mas went through a list of new provisions added since last week’s presentation. That includes an agreement that no city funding would be used for toxic soil clean-up, a cost estimated at $35 million. –

London