Future Of Dade Fair At Tamiami Park May Go To Voters

MIAMI (CBSMiami) - The future of the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition at Tamiami Park could be in for a roller coaster ride.

The annual event has been held at the park for 43 years. Now, however, Florida International University wants to take over 64-county owned acres of the park to build new student facilities, according to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald. Under the county's charter, the park's land must be used for park purposes unless an exception is grants.

Last July, Miami-Dade Commissioners unanimously agreed  that FIU should be able to expand onto neighboring, county-owned land.  So next week they will consider placing a referendum on the November ballot asking voters if they support FIU's proposal. The Miami-Dade elections department has said next week is the deadline for county charter amendments.

Fair organizers say the vote is premature because the county hasn't decided on a new expo site or who will pay for the fair to relocate.

Under terms of a lease agreement with the fair which runs through 2040, with extensions through 2085, Miami-Dade is on the hook to find another expo site and pay for the move if it wants to break the agreement.  The lease also requires three years' notice before any move.

According to the paper, the county, the fair and the university have studied three potential sites: west of Miami Lakes; near the Homestead Air Reserve Base; and near the Miami Dolphins' Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens. A fourth, at Tropical Park, has also been mentioned.

A county consultant concluded last year that relocation costs could amount to up to $80 million in construction and another $150 million in road and service improvements.

CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed to this report.