David Beckham is moving forward with plans for a Miami stadium for his MLS expansion franchise at a site other than his preferred PortMiami location.
A consultant for Beckham's collective, Miami Beckham United, told The Miami Herald on Monday that the group met with Miami officials recommending the stadium be located near the AmericanAirlines Arena, home of the NBA’s Miami Heat play. The report said there was general agreement to move forward with discussions about fair market rent and designs for that site.
"I think on balance, you know, everybody felt that this site was one that was in the best interest of the citizens and we believe in the best interest of the soccer fans," the consultant, John Alschuler, told the newspaper.
The finalized plans will need to be approved by the Miami-Dade County Commission and Alschuler said a referendum will also be presented to Miami voters.
The Beckham group had previously expressed its preference for building the stadium at PortMiami, which faced resistance from business and political leaders.
They agreed to consider the site now in discussion after Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez sent Alschuler a letter asking them to look at the location between Museum Park and AmericanAirlines Arena. The site is currently occupied by a large unused boat slip that could be filled and linked to other bay-area attractions, the Herald reported.
Mike Hernandez, a spokesman for Gimenez, told the newspaper that the PortMiami could still be considered if the boat slip site falls through.
"The PortMiami site isn't necessarily off the table," he said. "It's just Plan B."
