Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has shifted a $20 million contribution from developers of Miami Freedom Park to ensure it exclusively funds a 58-acre public park linked to the Inter Miami soccer stadium, igniting criticism from residents. Previously, a condition established in 2022 guaranteed half of these funds would be for other city parks. Suarez defended his action as adhering to voter sentiment from a 2018 referendum and announced an additional $2.5 million for parks in areas outside the stadium location, aiming to alleviate community concerns.
When the City Commission approved the deal in 2022, a crucial condition was that half of the $20 million contribution go to other parks.
Mayor Suarez argued that the money should have never been diverted, emphasizing that his proposal honors the will of the voters from the 2018 referendum.
Suarez attached an amendment to allocate an additional $2.5 million for parks in four of the five voting districts, ensuring broader community support.
This proposal sparked outrage among residents who viewed it as a 'bait-and-switch', especially given the prior agreements from the city commission.
Collection
[
|
...
]