Miami-Dade officials held a meeting last week in South Beach on the proposed Metromover extension to the neighborhood, but were faced by opponents who shouted in opposition to the plan.
The county presentation on the Baylink system took place at a luxury South Beach condo tower, according to Miami Herald reporter Doug Hanks.
A video showed residents loudly chanting “stop the train” at the meeting – despite gridlock traffic in the surrounding area on a near daily basis.
Another county Baylink presentation was scheduled at the Miami Beach Public Library in South Beach on February 16, but has been postponed. “As a result of overwhelming community interest in the Baylink project, the allowable capacity at the library was exceeded,” an email from the city said.
A Baylink presentation was also made to the Miami Beach Commission this month, where residents spoke in support of the plan.
According to Better Streets Miami Beach, two Miami Beach commissioners have publicly stated they are against Baylink, while two are in favor.
Among the claims now being made by opponents is that Baylink would better serve employment centers in Miami Beach if routed through mid-Beach. Studies uploaded by Better Streets Miami Beach showed that wouldn’t be the case, however.
Tough transit crowd at this luxury South Beach condo tower where @CommishEileen and transit chief Eulois Cleckley are making the case for Metromover to the Beach. “Stop the train!” “Stop the train!” pic.twitter.com/KwiANuSbLw
— Doug Hanks (@doug_hanks) February 9, 2023