After a vote by the Miami City Commission, Virginia Key is now set to be the new home of Ultra Music Festival in 2019.
Update 11/15/2018 6:30pm PST: Ultra Music Festival has released a video announcing their relocation to Virginia Key after the vote to approve the move earlier by the Miami Commissioners. Check it out below:
https://www.facebook.com/Ultra/videos/295901001039969/
After the Miami City Commission of Planning and Zoning voted unanimously against the contract that would have kept Ultra Music Festival at Miami’s Bayfront Park in 2019, the festival organizers began their hunt for a new location. Releasing information that they were eyeing Virginia Key as the venue for next year’s edition, it quickly sparked controversy
Residents and local government officials took to the media to express their concern about the potential move that specifically surrounded the traffic problems, environmental impact, and noise that the festival would bring. Yesterday, the founders of Rapture Music Festival also released an official statement in opposition of the move as well, since they have traditionally been hosting their festival at the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park over the same weekend as Ultra Music Festival.
Today, after a lengthy meeting that spanned the entire day, the City of Miami Commission has made their vote to approve the move of Ultra Music Festival to Virginia Key in 2019. In a 4-1 vote, the festival is set to be held outside of Marine Stadium and in Virginia Key Beach Park.
The contract will be in place for two years, with an option to revoke the contract 60 days after the festival occurs. It also stipulates that $2 million will go to Miami from Ultra for the ability to sell up to 60,000 tickets, of which $1 million will go directly into a trust for later usage. There will be no general parking allowed at Ultra Miami 2019, with only a small number of spaces that will be limited to VIP guests only to help with the traffic impact.
Stay tuned for more information as we await official statements from the festival organizers.
BREAKING: Ultra Music Festival will be held on Virginia Key in March 2019. In a 4-1 vote, Miami commissioners approve an agreement for festival to he held outside Marine Stadium and in Virginia Key Beach Park.
— Joey Flechas (@joeflech) November 15, 2018
After hours of debate, the Ultra contract passes on Virginia Key. I voted against the contract based on environmental concerns.
— Ken Russell (@kenforflorida) November 15, 2018
