Consider new soccer stadium site

Mayor Carlos Gimenez wants MLS owner to examine proposed stadium downtown

The mayor of Miami-Dade County has asked David Beckham and his investors to consider a new site for their proposed soccer stadium.

Mayor Carlos Gimenez sent a letter late Monday to Beckham’s real estate adviser asking the group to consider filling a massive boat slip downtown between Museum Park and AmericanAirlines Arena.

“Downtown Miami will greatly benefit from the creation of a grand waterfront park that will serve to bring our urban core closer to the water, providing a magnificent bay front walk along Biscayne Bay,” Gimenez wrote. “The uninterrupted green-space would connect the Miami River, through Bayfront Park, to Museum Park, creating and expanding one seamless waterfront pedestrian experience.”

Beckham’s team has been pushing to build their Major League Soccer stadium at PortMiami. But the plan has provoked considerable backlash.

An alliance led by Royal Caribbean Cruises claims a stadium there would adversely affect cruise and cargo operations at the port.

Gimenez said PortMiami is still a possibility, as are other sites.

In a statement, Miami Beckham United said it would examine the feasibility of filling the slip.

Gimenez said results of the group’s analysis should be completed within the next two weeks.