Cutler Bay Mayor, Norman Braman Join Forces To Stop Sun Life Renovations
MIAMI (CBS4) - The Mayor of Cutler Bay and billionaire Norman Braman are joining forces to oppose the proposed renovations to Sun Life Stadium.
Mayor Ed MacDougall is creating a website slated to launch Wednesday, www.stopthestadiummadness.us. MacDougall said he decided to launch the website after speaking with residents of Cutler Bay as well as mayors of other cities who oppose the stadium upgrades.
He also shared thoughts with Norman Braman, who has already voiced his opposition to the proposed renovations which would be partially funded by taxpayer money.
MacDougall said he and Braman met and discussed the website which will provide information about the plans, votes, and who supports or opposes the proposal.
"We're very like-minded in our belief that the people should be the ones who are represented and they're just not," said MacDougall.
Proposed funding for the stadium would come from increasing hotel taxes and a sales tax rebate.
Earlier this month, Super Bowl host committee Chair Rodney Barreto said he doesn't think residents will mind the tax.
"It's not like their property taxes are going up it's not like their car taxes are going up," he said.
MacDougall disagrees.
"For me, at the end of the day, it's taxes. It's a half penny here another penny there," he said. "It's not about the Dolphins. I think they're good for Miami-Dade County. I hope they're here. I hope we have a lot of Super Bowls here. I just don't want to see my residents pay for it."
