Proposed inland port would allow for soccer site at PortMiami

PortMiami and David Beckham
PortMiami and David Beckham

As Miami-Dade County prepares to begin negotiations over a Major League Soccer franchise location, County Commissioner Jose Diaz announced a potential alternative for PortMiami’s trade operations — if David Beckham were to select the site for a stadium.

An unnamed Medley property owner has begun planning an inland port that would continue trade services and handle the increased traffic likely to occur after the expansion of the Panama Canal, Diaz said.

“I have tried, but I don’t see the relation of a soccer stadium with the big boats and big cargo that is coming from Panama,” Commissioner Rebeca Sosa said at a meeting yesterday.

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The commissioners noted other potential sites for the project such as the Miami Intermodal Center, Alfonso Field at Florida International University and Sun Life Stadium.

Last week, a group of commissioners gave initial approval to the PortMiami zoning district, which would allow private development on the seaport but does not include a sports stadium. [Miami Today News]Mark Maurer