The Miami GP battle continues on as despite getting a clearance in a crucial meet, the F1 grand prix faces lawsuit from Commissioner Barbara Jordan.
The long-standing case looked like coming to an end during Wednesday City of Miami Commission meet but it looks like will be stretched to the court room now with a lawsuit from 13 residents of Miami Gardens against the F1 grand prix to be held.
A potential new track around the Hard Rock Stadium had been pushed through for months after initial setback. The promoters agreed to several changes including no races during school hours or in the night, non-use of 199th Street, among others.
When it looked like Miami GP was going to get a green light, Jordan pressed further and invoked multiple rights to delay the decision to February 19. A vote to pass an ordinance where zoning rights would remove ‘auto racing’ ended up in a tie.
It meant the ordinance wouldn’t pass as Jordan hurled a verbal attack on Mayor Carlos Gimenez during the meet. She pressed the Miami Gardens residents to file a lawsuit with the help of attorney Sam Dubbin, which has been filed and signed by 13 people.
Despite the lawsuit, Gimenez seemed relaxed with the Hard Rock Stadium and Dolphins owner Tom Garfinkle releasing a positive statement. “We are happy that the commissioners once again today reaffirmed that the Hard Rock Stadium entertainment complex is a regional facility that exists to benefit all of Miami-Dade County.
“We are glad to put this long-delayed vote behind us so we can begin to make the multi-million dollar investment required to bring the race here, and have positive and productive conversations with local leadership about the many benefits that a global event of this nature brings,” it stated.
Meanwhile, Ginenez stated: “At a meeting last month at the North Dade Library, attended by Commissioner Barbara Jordan and members of the community, the Miami Dolphins agreed to make very important concessions regarding F1 racing in the Miami Gardens.
“This includes to keep Formula 1 off NW 199th Street and to use only the stadium property for the race. They will not hold any racing during school hours. They committed to having only daytime racing – no racing at night.
“To further address the concerns of Miami Gardens residents, the Dolphins commissioned an acoustical impact study that focused on the F1 track that would go on the Hard Rock Stadium property and measured maximum sound levels inside the nearest homes during race times.
“The maximum sound levels inside the nearest homes would be below 76 decibels. This is well below the level of other events held at the stadium such as concerts – including the recent SuperFest Miami – with the implementation of recommended sound mitigation strategies.”
With the zoning ordinance not passed and the lawsuit from some of the Miami Gardens side, it remains to be seen as to what comes next for Miami GP, which is still scheduled to make its debut in May 2021 – although the time they have to be ready is running out.
Here’s what happened in the last meet