Miami

Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Over Beckham's Miami Stadium Proposal

A judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a local attorney who was seeking to have the David Beckham-led Major League Soccer group's Miami soccer stadium proposal nixed.

Judge Reemberto Diaz dismissed the suit filed by William Muir on Wednesday, saying he has no standing in the case.

Muir filed the lawsuit last month, naming Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and several other city officials as defendants while arguing they are ignoring mandatory parts of the city charter if the stadium deal is approved. Muir also argued that the public was not given enough notice or an opportunity to bid on a piece of public property.

Commissioners voted last month to approve putting the stadium measure on the upcoming ballot in November by a 3-2 vote, a vote that was needed due to a city charter rule that requires commissioners to open the process to anyone who wants to make a bid.

Suarez and other city officials have been vocal in their support of a plan by the Beckham group to lease the land currently housing the Melreese Country Club located near Miami International Airport.

The 99-year lease would allow Beckham and businessman Jorge Mas to build a massive complex that would include a 28,000 seat stadium for a future MLS franchise, as well as youth soccer fields and spaces for retail shops, hotels and offices.

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