Proposed MLS Site Not Bending Beckham's Idea Of Waterfront Stadium
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - You can't put a square peg in a round hole, but a county commissioner is trying to persuade David Beckham to build his soccer stadium in a place he has firmly rejected.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Xavier Suarez has released rendering for a Major League Soccer stadium beside the Miami Marlins ballpark.
"They want something in or near downtown, this is very close to downtown. They want something close to mass transportation, this certainly is," said Suarez.
Suarez pushed for the stadium next to the ballpark after the county kicked Beckham's hopes for a stadium at PortMiami and the City of Miami bounced plans for a Bayfront stadium next to American Airlines Arena.
At Miami's city hall, the push for soccer was still very much alive Thursday.
"We represent the 3,000 people who have signed petitions, residents of the city of Miami, saying that they support soccer in Miami," said Brian Corey with Southern League Soccer.
Soccer fans urged commissioners to find a place for Beckham to build his stadium to house his team.
Xavier Suarez' son said he could support the side-by-side baseball and soccer plan.
"I think there is a lot of natural advantages to looking at that site very strongly. Of course, it takes two to tango," said Miami City Commissioner Francis Suarez.
Beckham has already rejected the stadium beside Marlins Park that has been controversial because it was built with public money amid public outrage.
Sources close to Beckham's group said Thursday, "It's not an option. It doesn't fit in terms of room and it doesn't fit with David Beckham's vision."
Beckham's vision still includes a stadium downtown near the water and a source told CBS4's Gary Nelson that his group is "dismayed by a lack of effective political leadership in the county and the city."
The reference is to County Mayor Carlos Gimenez who could not get a stadium at PortMiami to happen and Miami's Tomas Regalado who withdrew his support for the site on the bay.
A spokesperson for David Beckham's group told Nelson members will take 30-days or so to consider the next step and option that's on the table.
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