Miami GP gets provisional green light from City councilors

City commissioners of Miami Gardens approved on Wednesday a resolution that clears the path towards Formula 1 racing on the streets of Florida's Magic City.

Liberty Media's long-standing efforts to bring F1 to Miami suffered several setbacks due to local opposition from environmental and residential groups.

An initial plan to race around Biscayne Boulevard was scrapped, with the event relocated around the Hard Rock Stadium of the NFL's Miami Dolphins situated in Miami Gardens.

But again, staunch opposition from local residents and elected officials hindered the project. However, a dialogue between all parties has remained open over the past year.

Last week, Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris offered a joint resolution with Hard Rock Stadium designed to appease local activists.

On Wednesday evening, the city's commissioners adopted the resolution after several hours of debating its merits, including with members of the public.

The subsequent "Memorandum of Understanding" outlines the requirements Liberty Media and local promotor and Hard Rock Stadium owner Stephen Ross will need to meet for the city to flash a definitive green light for a Miami GP.

The MOU states that the event "would be held in a manner that provides substantial economic and community benefits that directly support City residents and businesses."

The financial package must include a $5 million fund "for community benefits programs to be administered by the city", and which will be delivered over the event's planned 10-year contract period.

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Provisions also call for the track layout to avoid using two major roads located in the vicinity of the Hard Rock Stadium, Northwest 199th Street and N.W. 27th Avenue.

The resolution also addresses the event's potential schedule, stating that "no race shall start: (a) prior to 2:30pm (ET) on any weekday on which public schools are in session prior to 2:30pm (ET); or (b) after sunset in city on any day will be permitted".

The City also expects the organizer to resort to "noise mitigation barriers of industry quality erected on the north side of any section of the track adjacent to the Snake Creek Canal" to protect nearby residents to whom discounted tickets shall be made available.

If all goes to plan and F1 and promoter Stephen Ross fulfill their duties, the inaugural race in Miami could added to Grand Prix racing's calendar as soon as 2022.

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