It has been a nail-biting journey since Ultra was denied Bayfront Park contract for future venue use. A few weeks ago, a new potential home was revealed for the EDM festival:Â Â the park next to the Miami Marine Stadium and Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. Today, it went to a vote.
Through the City of Miami government Facebook page, as well as through live tweeting from reporters like Joey Flechas of The Miami Herald, the debate was lively as the Miami commissioners were back and forth with Ultra representatives on whether they could make this location their new venue for 2019.
There were multiple concerns going into this. Traffic patterns, environmental worries, and its general impact on the are were all brought upon the table. For the commissioners, their concern also involved money.
In their debate, money was the overall pull. Miami is gaining a minimum $2M payment from Ultra, as opposed to the original $1.4M number. For environmental concerns, Ultra promised to have only limited VIP parking available and will shuttle festival goers back and forth. They will also put up fences to protect environmentally sensitive areas. They are also willing to engage with multiple environment consultants and initiate a traffic plan. There was also the demand that some of the money go towards a future African American Museum, as the festival will bolster the Virginia Key Park Trust.
In a 4-1 vote, the commissioners approved on an agreement for the festival to be held in the two tandem locations. Ultra officially has a new home.
For anyone who missed the live stream, see the reporter’s twitter thread below.
We’re back. Ultra is being discussed. An attorney representing the festival, Miguel De Grandy, is talking about the Key Biscayne’s loud opposition against the festival’s possible move to Virginia Key. He says Key officials and residents have defamed Ultra
— Joey Flechas (@joeflech) November 15, 2018
Carollo is pressing administration and Ultra reps for why the value of the agreement is $1.4M. Last time Ultra was here for the Bayfront Park contract, there was a minimum $2M payment. De Grandy responds by saying there are unknowns with festival move
— Joey Flechas (@joeflech) November 15, 2018
Carollo argued the use fee, Ultra’s payment to the city, could be contractually tied to amount of ticket sales. Certain sales thresholds could trigger lower or higher min payments. He brings up a projected budget deficit going into the next fiscal cycle: https://t.co/ZCkZuh19qL
— Joey Flechas (@joeflech) November 15, 2018
Keon Hardemon says he wants to see a percentage of the money that goes to the city used to fund operation of a future African American Museum.
— Joey Flechas (@joeflech) November 15, 2018
Russell and Hardemon both have emphasized the benefit Ultra would bring to the Virginia Key Park Trust, which has relied on events to bolster its budget and has not been able to find a revenue stream to support a museum, which the county has the money to build
— Joey Flechas (@joeflech) November 15, 2018
From the debate on the dais, none of these commissioners appeared to be uncomfortable with anything about this deal other than the money. The concerns from Key Biscayne residents, Rapture and environmental activists did not seem to move commissioners to consider denying contract.
— Joey Flechas (@joeflech) November 15, 2018
Carollo asks straight up if Ultra will pay a minimum of $2M. Ultra’s lawyers and lobbyists conferring with Russell Faibisch.
— Joey Flechas (@joeflech) November 15, 2018
Ultra says they’re willing to pay a minimum of $2M. Ultra asks for 10 minutes recess. Key Biscayne officials want to speak b4 vote, Hardemon probably won’t let that happen. Lot happening rn
— Joey Flechas (@joeflech) November 15, 2018
Ultra says they want certainty today, so they’re willing to guarantee $2M to the city.
— Joey Flechas (@joeflech) November 15, 2018
Commissioners get a $2M guarantee out of Ultra. Now, a motion and a second. Russell wants to discuss more.
— Joey Flechas (@joeflech) November 15, 2018
Hardemon will soon call vote. This appears to be heading for approval, from comments each commissioner has made.
— Joey Flechas (@joeflech) November 15, 2018
BREAKING: Ultra Music Festival will be held on Virginia Key in March 2019. In a 4-1 vote, Miami commissioners approve an agreement for festival to he held outside Marine Stadium and in Virginia Key Beach Park.
— Joey Flechas (@joeflech) November 15, 2018
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