David Beckham's quest to build a stadium in the Overtown section of Miami is moving closer to a successful conclusion.
Audrey Edmonson, the county commissioner whose district encompasses Overtown, has given her blessing to a deal that will see Miami Beckham United acquire a three-acre parcel of land for $9 million, according to the Miami Herald. Combined with a six-acre parcel of land the group acquired last year, Beckham's group now appears to have the necessary land needed to move ahead with construction of a 25,000-seat stadium.
With Edmonson endorsing the proposed land sale, the deal is expected to be approved by the Miami-Dade County Commission on June 6. The only regulatory hurdle that remains is a set of zoning changes that must be approved by the City of Miami, though the Herald reports that residents of the nearby Spring Garden neighborhood are expected to voice their opposition to the deal due to concerns about traffic and a lack of parking at the proposed venue.
As part of the deal with the county, MBU has agreed to provide 2,000 parking spaces in surrounding areas, and would then provide shuttles from those spaces to the stadium. MBU is also encouraging the use of the Culmer Metrorail station, which is about three blocks away.
Once the zoning changes are finalized, MLS will then need to approve MBU's application for an expansion franchise.
Sources have told ESPN FC that there has been resistance from some current MLS owners about bringing Beckham on board since he is acquiring the team for a discounted price of $25 million. The expansion fee for the current round of expansion is expected to top $150 million. However, MLS is expected to ultimately approve Beckham's entry, paving the way for Miami to be the league's 24th team.
Meanwhile, Minnesota United obtained a state tax exemption for their planned soccer-specific stadium in St. Paul, as Gov. Mark Dayton signed a bill into law on Tuesday night.