“The fight is not over yet” says Miami-Gardens officials as Miami-Dade County Mayor vetoes recent re
Miami-Dade County Commissioner of District 1 Barbara J. Jordan, Mayor Oliver Gilbert III, and former District 1 Commissioner Betty T. Ferguson join together for a press conference held at the Miami Gardens City Hall on Friday, Nov. 8.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez vetoed the County Commission’s recent resolution to prohibit blocking off neighboring roads for Formula One races, and any other motor vehicle race, on Nov. 8.
The decision comes 10 days after the County Commission narrowly voted 7-6 to the ordinace bar Formula One and other motor race to occur within the vicinity of the municipal boundaries of Miami Gardens. The commission also voted 8-5 on to block off any bordering roads for the sake of a motor race.
Gimenez hinted at the veto at the Oct. 29 commission meeting before the vote was made, expressing his confusion as to why the Miami Gardens community would be opposed to the race.
“And while I remain sensitive to resident’s concerns in Miami Gardens, I believe it is a premature attempt to block an event of the magnitude of Formula One outright,” Gimenez said in his veto message.
The City of Miami Gardens held a press conference at the Miami Gardens City Hall to discuss the recent news on Friday with Mayor Oliver Gilbert III, Miami-Dade County District 1 Commissioner Barbara Jordan and former MDC Commissioner Betty Ferguson were all present to share their thoughts on the veto.
“This isn’t over, the conversation is just beginning,” said Gilbert. “The concerns that were raised by the citizens don’t just go away because of the veto.”
The city commission originally passed a resolution objecting the race from happening within the city back on Oct. 23 before the case was handled by the county.
During the press conference Ferguson expressed her concerns for the residents themselves. Some residents think the fight may be over, yet she says the fight will go on.
“What we want our county mayor to do is to remember that he represents us, all of us, and Miami Gardens is a part of Miami-Dade County,” said Ferguson. “It's disheartening to us as if our county mayor is trying to push us to make concessions to the Miami Dolphins and the Formula One people.”
The Miami Dolphins now have two weeks to respond in writing to the concerns of the Miami Gardens residents, according to the veto. The team was not available for comment at the time of deadline.
Gimenez states in the veto how he had what he calls a “productive meeting” with Commissioner Jordan, the Miami Dolphins, Formula One, and representatives of tax-exemption organization Rolling Crest Lakes Inc.
Although Jordan agrees that the meeting was productive, she believes whatever previous or future agreements made by Formula One and the Miami Dolphins needs to stop.
“It’s one thing to have discussions and talk about how we may be able to come to an agreement, or look at other venues as a possibility,” said Jordan. “But if the agreement between two private parties still would be moving forward, we’d be left behind. “
Mayor Gimenez, whose pushed for Formula One, Hard Rock Stadium and the residents of Miami Gardens to compose an agreement, remains confident about the race.
“I remain committed to respecting the residents of Miami Gardens, and I remain committed to finding a way to bring this world-class event to our community,” said Gimenez in the message.
Gilbert assures the city’s disapproval of the race does not come with ill-intentions, rather, it comes with a concern for the community. And while the city is a part of what he says is an economic ecosystem that is Miami-Dade County, the city shouldn’t be used as a crux for a private deal.
“This is Miami Gardens saying we are a part of Miami-Dade County and it’s how we live and our quality of life should be respected also,” said Gilbert. “Just because it’s a great event, doesn’t mean it’s a great event for us.”
Yet, Miami Gardens remain powerless under the deal unless the issue falls into zoning affairs, specifically regarding stadium, which at that point the city can step in.
Jordan says she expects the mayor to uphold the “integrity” of the conversation, which she threatens to use cease and desist if violated.
The original solution also enforced any application for temporary or permanent road closure for motor races to be presented to local community members before the consideration of the County Board. Applications for such road closures must also pay a fee that covers the cost for a noise, air and traffic study, and to present the study results to the Board.
Miami Gardens residents have expressed their opposition to having the race in at the Hard Rock Stadium. Residents say the race will bring on substantial noise and air pollution from the cars, along with safety concerns.
Formula One is an international motor racing company that holds its Grand Prix’s in various countries from March until December. The company usually holds the U.S. races annually in Austin, TX, according to the Formula One website, but after being bought out by Liberty Media, the owner has pushed to host the Grand Prix in other popular U.S. cities.
The racing organization originally planned on hosting the race in downtown Miami, but changed plans after opposition from local residents and business owners came to light. The motor racing company then made a deal with billionaire Stephen Ross, who also owns the Miami Dolphins and the Hard Rock Stadium, which is now at a stalemate until further government approval.
Dana Carr, a Miami Gardens resident, says her and her fellow neighbors are ready to fight for their community.
“Very soon the noise levels will get even louder with Formula One,” said Carr. “ I don’t want that for anyone in my community. I don’t want that for my children, or elderly people. I don’t want any negative impacts from Formula One.”
Talks of moving the race to a different venue, such as the Homestead Speedway, have surfaced even with support from some residents, Ferguson and even District 9 Commissioner Dennis Moss, whose district covers parts of South Miami-Dade and Homestead.
Jordan says she the county and Formula One have scheduled a meeting with Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The Unrepresented People’s Positive Action Council, an activist group that focuses on Black issues, along with other local residents and organizations will protest every Miami Dolphins home games up until the Super Bowl in February of 2020.
Francis Ragoo, who has been present at the protests since the beginning, is confused as to how the Miami Dolphins and Formula One approached the deal.
“[Formula One and the Miami Dolphins] were doing the decision like it was a done deal. It was disingenuous that if you were going to sign a contract, as far as I’m concerned--If there’s a third party authorization, it should be subject to [government] approval,” said Ragoo.
A date for a second hearing has yet to be scheduled.
County Commissioners Eileen Higgins and Dennis Moss, along with the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium were unavailable for comment by deadline.