Spurred on by residents in the growing downtown area, the Miami City Commission on Thursday rejected a new contract for Ultra Music Festival to remain in Bayfront Park.

The vote was unanimous.

The vote does not cancel the festival by any means, but may require Ultra to move from Bayfront Park for the first time in 18 years, the Miami Herald noted.

 

People who live near the waterfront park are the main opposition to holding music festivals downtown because of the noise and traffic they bring and because Bayfront Park may be closed to the public for several weeks before and after the festival…

Once the elected officials cut through the contentious debate, all five commissioners opposed the proposed contract. Residents said they didn’t think it was likely Ultra could offer terms that neighbors could support. Ultra representatives were more optimistic, though it was clear they would have to work closely with neighbors to please them before offering another contract.

 

The Herald noted that local residents were “elated” by the decision.

 

“Is there a world where we could work something out that we could live with? I don’t see it today,” said Kenneth Schwartz, who wore a white hat emblazoned with “Save Bayfront Park” in green letters.

 

Ultra Music Festival released a statement claiming the vote represents “only a denial of certain terms” of the contract and the 2019 edition of Ultra is not at an end:

Photo: Ultra Music Festival

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