Boat Show battle comes to Miami-Dade for ‘temporary’ pass

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There are three different lawsuits pending and unanswered questions about setting a precedent on using park land for commercial purposes. Environmentalists, concerned about the effect on adjacent protected land, will cry foul. The mayor of Key Biscayne will talk about how this goes against the carefully thought-out plan for Virginia Key. And residents of the posh island will talk about feeling trapped any time that an event brings thousands of people over the Causeway.

Ah, bahumbug!

Despite what is expected to be a large “no” crowd, Miami-Dade Commissioners on Tuesday will likely approve the permits for the 75th annual Miami International Boat Show to use the Miami Marine Stadium property for February’s mega maritime merchandise mart.

After all, as you’ll hear, the event will bring hundreds of jobs and has an economic impact of $595 million in our area.

You’ll also hear the word “temporary” a lot.

Because that’s the excuse, isn’t it? That this is just a test. A trial run. A dress rehearsal that we can cancel afterwards if it goes all wrong.

That’s the excuse city leaders in Miami used to approve the lease of the public property without having to get voter approval. It’s temporary.  “The city views the boat show as a temporary event. If there’s traffic chaos, their license can be terminated,” Miami Commissioner Francis Suarez told the Miami Herald. An editorial today even has the paper giving them a pass, ala: “You really shouldn’t have. But it’s okay this one time, since you already did it.”

Reminds me of an old Cuban saying: Es mas facil pedir perdon que pedir permiso. It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission.

Even Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez “will support allowing the boat show to take pace as proposed for one year,” said his spokesman, Michael Hernandez. “The administration will re-evaluate the application for the following year.”

Does that mean that he’s going to have secret meetings with some developer or billionaire or billionaire developer to seal some secret deal for yet another giveaway of taxpayer resources? Gotta keep an eye on that one.

Ladra was told there is a one year extension that can be exercised, so it may already be two years for the Boat Show at the Marine Stadium. But the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association, which puts on the show, has made it no secret that they want to make this a regular venue every year. So, naturally, people are skeptical of local government’s intentions.

Then there is the city spending $20 million plus on a “flex park” surrounding the stadium for a “temporary” situation.

Now, don’t get me wrong and let’s be reasonable. The Miami Marine Stadium is an awesome facility that should be restored, redeveloped and used for recreational and entertainment and maybe even educational purposes. It’s ours and our city leaders have let it fall into a decrepit state. Shame on them.

But, wait. Is there any money going to the renovation of the actual and iconic waterside stadium? It don’t look like it. Miami has $20 million to improve the grounds around the stadium and for some high-fallutin’ park — a park being built specifically for

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  Key Biscayne, Marine Stadium, Xavier Suarez