Neighbors are vowing to fight David Beckham’s proposed MLS stadium in Overtown

How hard is it going to be for David Beckham and his MLS Miami franchise team to bring a 25,000-seat soccer stadium to their proposed site in Overtown? A fascinating Miami Herald article lays out all the obstacles in the soccer star’s path, and that includes city residents and activists digging in against the plan. Here’s what one organizer told the paper:

“Our motto is, it’s not a done deal,” said Amanda Hand, a Spring Garden resident who has helped spearhead neighborhood opposition to the stadium in collaboration with some Overtown residents. “That we will challenge it at every step is absolutely true. There is potentially nothing that will change our neighborhoods more than a 25,000-seat open-air stadium with 40 events a year, including lots of concerts.”

Some opponents are asking that a new site be considered. Beckham and his partners still needs to close on a $9 million purchase of three acres of county land in order, which would be combined with an already purchased six-acre lot across Northwest Seventh Street, so this could be a battle.

• Beckham finally got his Miami soccer franchise. Now he’ll need to fight for his stadium. [Miami Herald]
• Is a fight brewing for David Beckham over the MLS stadium location? [Curbed Miami]