Miami Gardens’ mayor has put forward a joint memorandum of understanding with the Hard Rock Stadium in a bid to alleviate concerns harboured by local opponents to the proposed Formula 1 event.
Formula 1 has been striving to add Miami to its calendar for several years, with a round in 2019 initially mooted for downtown, before these plans were abandoned.
Instead focus for the event, supported by Miami Dolphins’ owner Stephen Ross, was shifted to the area around the Hard Rock Stadium, located in Miami Gardens, with May 2021 outlined as a target date.
Following resistance from local residents last October a fresh federal lawsuit was filed, alleging racial discrimination, and citing potential breaches of noise ordinances.
Ahead of a city council meeting, planned for Wednesday, a memo, supported by Mayor Rodney Harris, outlined the desire to continue supporting Hard Rock Stadium and promoter South Florida Motorsports in bringing Formula 1 to the city, and published a list of proposals in a bid to satisfy opponents.
It outlined that the grand prix “would be held in a manner that provides substantial economic and community benefits that directly support City residents and businesses.”
It suggested that the event could be promoted as the first Formula 1 grand prix to take place in a predominantly African-American city.
It has also been emphasised that the promoter will make “certain commitments” including “with respect to track design, noise mitigation, air quality monitoring and racing hours that minimise any disruptions to local schools and neighbourhoods.”
Under the proposed motion it was highlighted once more that the circuit would not use any of Northwest 199th street, and take place at and around the stadium, aligning with a track map released in January 2020.
As part of the MOU the promoter has pledged a commitment of $5m, split across the 10 proposed grands prix, for the benefit of local residents and businesses.
The promoter has also pledged that STEM programmes and paid internships will be provided to select college students in conjunction with the event.
Discounted tickets will also be made available for local residents while noise mitigation barriers “of industrial quality” will be erected to alleviate concerns.
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