Beckham And UM Working On A Stadium Next To Marlins Park, Metromover Extension

[thelakelander]

http://blog.virgin-atlantic.com/legacyfs/online/uploads/2011/11/The-Miami-MetroMover-%C2%A9-Hugh-Millward-on-Flickr.com_.png

Major League Soccer, the University of Miami, and Dade County officials could soon announce plans for a 40,000-seat soccer stadium next to Marlins Stadium, including a Metromover loop to the site, Southern Legion is reporting.

Dade commissioner Bruno Barreiro will soon release a plan to extend the Metromover, Southern Legion said. The new loop would extend west from Government Center through a densely populated area, before turning north to a new stop between Marlins Stadium and the new soccer stadium. The plan is said to have strong support from both commissioners and residents.

How much would it cost for a new Metromover loop? Dade recently built the the 1.2-mile MIA Mover, a similar elevated light-rail system, for $270 million, including the cost to acquire trains. A new line to Marlins Stadium would be nearly 2 miles.

courtesy of eleven=11 at http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=217506


Full article: http://www.thenextmiami.com/index.php/report-says-that-beckham-and-um-working-on-a-stadium-next-to-marlins-park-with-new-metromover-loop/

[Adam White]

Exciting news. Glad they're thinking about extending the Metromover to that site. Seems like there's a lot going on in Miami these days.

[JaxJersey-licious]

I like the idea and I hope that happens, but I have several questions:

1) The costs would be outstanding for the line as it is now because the transit authority would have to build a bridge specifically for their trains. I don't think any of the existing bridges crossing the Miami River could hold them now. Plus Gov't Center Metro is already crowded enough as is if I recall so would a lower cost alternative would be starting a line from Brickell instead which wouldn't have to cross water, serve more of that area, and possibly be even streetcar level-based to rein in costs?

2) Wouldn't they face the same problem of having the Skyway serve EverBank in that it would be overwhelmed to service most UM home games. Even if they coupled the trains, I've seen problems with big 10-car commuter trains handling crowds after big football games and concerts (specifically the trains trying to leave the Meadowlands in New Jersey)

3) Given the overall venues could be used at least 120 times a year easily for sporting and concert events, wouldn't it make sense to start charging to use that Metromover spur? Having a turnsitile/SmartCard access count would be an easier way of controlling crowds at the platform than having security guess if it's too crowded. Plus sports teams could offer incentives to use it by offering discounts to season ticket holders who pre-pay for stadium spur Metromover access as opposed to purchasing a parking pass.

[tufsu1]

Exciting news. Glad they're thinking about extending the Metromover to that site. Seems like there's a lot going on in Miami these days.

I HIGHLY doubt that happens....they have a trolley right now and it works fairly well.  It is far more important to get fixed guideway transit from the airport & downtown to Miami Beach.  Voters approved that idea back in 2002 and it is still nowhere close to happening

[Adam White]

I just hope the MLS thing gets off the ground.

[spuwho]

This group originally tried to get the end of the Port of Miami Pier. AAF even offered to provide "Soccer Specials" and route trains down the dock spur out to the new stadium. But the city blocked the stadium effort and it moved on.

[For_F-L-O-R-I-D-A]

I like the idea and I hope that happens, but I have several questions:

1) The costs would be outstanding for the line as it is now because the transit authority would have to build a bridge specifically for their trains. I don't think any of the existing bridges crossing the Miami River could hold them now. Plus Gov't Center Metro is already crowded enough as is if I recall so would a lower cost alternative would be starting a line from Brickell instead which wouldn't have to cross water, serve more of that area, and possibly be even streetcar level-based to rein in costs?

2) Wouldn't they face the same problem of having the Skyway serve EverBank in that it would be overwhelmed to service most UM home games. Even if they coupled the trains, I've seen problems with big 10-car commuter trains handling crowds after big football games and concerts (specifically the trains trying to leave the Meadowlands in New Jersey)

3) Given the overall venues could be used at least 120 times a year easily for sporting and concert events, wouldn't it make sense to start charging to use that Metromover spur? Having a turnsitile/SmartCard access count would be an easier way of controlling crowds at the platform than having security guess if it's too crowded. Plus sports teams could offer incentives to use it by offering discounts to season ticket holders who pre-pay for stadium spur Metromover access as opposed to purchasing a parking pass.

I agree. Who would pay for the metromover extension? I doubt this happens. Nice thought though. UM would have the third smallest stadium in the ACC. Would they play the FSU or an occasional Florida game at Sunlife still?

[Adam White]

I like the idea and I hope that happens, but I have several questions:

1) The costs would be outstanding for the line as it is now because the transit authority would have to build a bridge specifically for their trains. I don't think any of the existing bridges crossing the Miami River could hold them now. Plus Gov't Center Metro is already crowded enough as is if I recall so would a lower cost alternative would be starting a line from Brickell instead which wouldn't have to cross water, serve more of that area, and possibly be even streetcar level-based to rein in costs?

2) Wouldn't they face the same problem of having the Skyway serve EverBank in that it would be overwhelmed to service most UM home games. Even if they coupled the trains, I've seen problems with big 10-car commuter trains handling crowds after big football games and concerts (specifically the trains trying to leave the Meadowlands in New Jersey)

3) Given the overall venues could be used at least 120 times a year easily for sporting and concert events, wouldn't it make sense to start charging to use that Metromover spur? Having a turnsitile/SmartCard access count would be an easier way of controlling crowds at the platform than having security guess if it's too crowded. Plus sports teams could offer incentives to use it by offering discounts to season ticket holders who pre-pay for stadium spur Metromover access as opposed to purchasing a parking pass.

I agree. Who would pay for the metromover extension? I doubt this happens. Nice thought though. UM would have the third smallest stadium in the ACC. Would they play the FSU or an occasional Florida game at Sunlife still?

It's a soccer-specific stadium, I think. 40k seats is massive.