Editorial
Open Letter about Formula 1
The idea to run an automobile race through the main promenade of Bayfront Park, and along its Baywalk, while paving over green space in our neighborhood’s premiere park is so ludicrous that one can only imagine it must be a tactic to gain support for a previously rejected and preferred course.
[Cristina Palomo, President of the Downtown Neighbors Alliance, DNA.]
July, 2018.
Mr. Mayor, Messrs. Commissioners, and Mr. City Manager,
The Downtown Community has proactively engaged in dialogue with the City and F1 to better understand the potential benefits of hosting a MIAMI GRAND PRIX. Throughout the various meetings, however, additional concerns and questions have been raised — including the loss of park use, overnight construction planned over a 3-month setup period, and course reroutes.
We have received no definitive answers. Furthermore, we have had the opportunity to review studies and reports of financial benefits and detriments to other host cities. According to a Forbes Magazine report, the financial results in some cases seem lackluster at best, and never as favorable as what has been promised.
Below are some points that we feel are essential for The City Manager to address in any Agreement that may be reached with F1:
No more than one-year initial contract with F1 to meet defined benchmarks for extensions. (Attendance, financial, restoration work,)
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· Kick-out/non-renewal clause due to non-performance. (Failure to restore properly post-race, not hitting financial benchmarks/economic benefit as projected)
- No construction any time after 10 pm
- No noise waivers to be issued for set-up/break-down
- Parks shall remain open and accessible to the public at all times
- No paving over of any public green space
- Guarantees to keep economic impact within the downtown/CBD footprint
- Repair and/or replacement of any and all landscaping & hardscaping damaged during set up/race/break down
- Resurface asphalt, curb-to-curb, to repair tire streaks or other damages post-race within a reasonable deadline
Additionally, it is imperative that F1:
- Secure a legacy project to benefit the community as part of contract (Bay-walk, completion of Parcel B Park, Biscayne green, etc.)
- Provide renderings of proposed track and location of grandstands to be made available for review & citizen feedback
- Describe in detail & provide specs for the infrastructure that will be constructed in preparation for race
Finally, most concerning is the latest version of the race route that has been proposed. The idea to run an automobile race through the main promenade of Bayfront Park, and along its Bay-walk, while paving over green space in our neighborhood’s premiere park is so ludicrous, and plainly egregious, that one can only imagine it must be a tactic to gain support for a previously rejected, preferred course.
These are the questions that tens of thousands residents and taxpayers deserve answers to before a ten-year contract is finalized for such a large scale event to take place right on our doorsteps.
I respectfully request that our questions and concerns be properly addressed prior to entering into any agreement with F1.
