Miami Merchants Banking on Urban Beach Weekend

Cash registers, cops brace for hip-hop bash

Miami hotel, club and restaurant owners are hoping Urban Beach Weekend brings a big boost to their bottom lines as the city prepares for a wild weekend.

Officials are expecting thousands of hip-hop fans to pack South Beach this Memorial Day weekend for the popular event, which will also have a large police presence.

Police officers from outside Miami have been brought in to assist local law enforcement and some streets, including MacArthur Causeway, may be closed on an as-needed basis.

But for local businesses, it's all about the cash. Local hotels are booked to almost 95 percent capacity for the weekend, according to Miami Beach tourism and cultural development director Max Sklar, and clubs and shops are hoping a weak economy won't keep patrons away.

About a quarter of a million participants are expected to make the trek for the party.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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