As Ultra Music Festival prepares to take over downtown Miami next week, tensions are rising between residents and city leaders.
The City of Miami abruptly canceled its participation in a community meeting scheduled for Wednesday evening, where concerns about renewing the festival’s long-term contract at Bayfront Park were expected to take center stage. The meeting, set for 6 p.m., was called off after city officials withdrew their attendance, according to the Downtown Neighbors Alliance.
Residents say the move leaves them feeling ignored at a critical moment. “It infuriates me,” said downtown resident Kristen Browde. “I cannot believe that the politicians would ignore the concerns of the 30,000 people who live here now—and the 50,000 that’ll be living here by the time that contract is done.”…