Ultra: Virginia Key Off The Table, But Miami & Homestead Wooing

Miami’s City Commission is making one last pitch for the Ultra Music Festival to be held downtown, even as the City of Homestead has cleared a path for a 10-year deal. As the two cities try to lure the concert, one thing seems clear: Ultra is not coming back to Virginia Key.

When asked if Virginia Key was “off the table,” Miami City Manager Emilio Gonzalez said, “Correct.” He said he was reaching out to concert organizers about a return to downtown Miami.  Gonzalez said he got his marching orders in a public Sunshine meeting attended by Key Biscayne Village Council Member Luis Lauredo.

“I am not by any stretch of the imagination agnostic. I think this is a good deal for the City,” he said.

In Homestead, the City Council extended operating hours to 2 a.m. for the Homestead-Miami Speedway to lure Ultra. Speedway officials say they are still determining how the multiple stages could be oriented on the site, and would allow concert-goers to camp at the speedway, as is done for races. “We have 6,000-8,000 persons living on property,” said Al Garcia, senior vice president of operations for the speedway.

Homestead Police Chief Al Rolle told commissioners he’d spoken to Key Biscayne Police Chief Charles Press about the island’s experience with Ultra. “One of the things he was saying is that Homestead is different, because we have got so many ways to get in and get out,” Rolle said, adding Press wished him luck if Ultra does move to Homestead.

In Miami, Manager Gonzalez said the business community has been very vocal about concerns over lost revenue and jobs. “Miami is not Silicon Valley. We depend on service industry jobs,” he said.

As to the longer-term future of events on Virginia Key, Gonzalez says he has not had any specific meetings with Key Biscayne officials but is in regular contact.

“I am hopeful that as we move forward they take a little more supportive view of things we do here in the City. You can’t always be about ‘no.’”

But even as Gonzalez was hoping for a better relationship with Village Manager Andrea Agha, Council Member Lauredo had tense words with Miami City Commissioner Keon Hardemon.

As the Sunshine meeting was ending, Lauredo approached the dais to speak. Hardemon started talking to him, but Lauredo kept trying to talk to other commissioners who were further away.

“Now you are being disrespectful to me,” Hardemon said.  Lauredo ignored him. “You’re not even looking at me,” Hardemon said, his voice rising.

Lauredo said, “I don’t have to look at you.” 

Hardemon then walked off the dais, and the session ended. Afterwards, Lauredo simply said, “He doesn’t want to hear the truth.”