Miami

David Beckham MLS Group Closing In on Overtown Deal: Mayor

After giving up on the approval process to build a Major League Soccer stadium near Marlins Park, David Beckham's group is now reportedly closing in on a deal that would bring a stadium to Overtown.

Sources informed NBC 6 that Miami Beckham United Group was closing in on a mix of private and county land in Overtown to break ground on the stadium.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez confirmed the group's intention to negotiate the purchasing of the land in a statement released Friday afternoon.

"The purchase is part of Miami Beckham United Group's effort to assemble land to eventually construct a privately-financed, privately-owned Major League Soccer stadium in the urban core of our world-class community," Gimenez said. "They will then build their stadium, they will own their stadium and they will pay property taxes like any other entity."

The stadium would be privately-owned, leaving Beckham's group responsible for paying annual property taxes the same as any other private entity in the county, Gimenez stated.

The sale of the land is subject to approval by the Board of County Commissioners. Gimenez indicated that all 13 commissioners had been contacted to discuss the development.

Giminez noted that the development could potentially create a number of jobs for county residents both during the construction process and once work was completed. He also stated that the needs of the county's public school system would also be carefully considered.

The Little Havana stadium deal was taken off the city commission agenda on Dec. 1, making it impossible for the proposed plan to make the Dec. 10 deadline to get on the March ballot.

"Apparently it is because of the property owners there, the asking price, et cetera," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez.

The move left Beckham considering alternate sites for the stadium, including possibly an old boat yard near Miami International Airport.

Sources told NBC 6 on Monday that the area near Northwest Seventh Street and Seventh Avenue in Miami's Overtown neighborhood might have been under consideration.

Miami Beckham United released the following statement on Monday:

"While Miami Beckham United is still hopeful we can secure the necessary private properties adjacent to the Marlins Park site, we are faced with the fact that some owners are not interested in selling or are seeking completely unreasonable prices. Fortunately, we have been receiving interest from a number of private land owners with sites across Miami-Dade County and we are now in the process of evaluating those alternatives. David, Marcelo, Simon and Tim appreciate the strong support of our fans and we are doing everything in our power to make our dream of an MLS club in Miami a reality."

No further information on the possible Overtown site was immediately available.

Stay with NBC 6 for updates on this developing story.
 

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