Need to Know: Ultra, traffic, environment, police and more

UPDATE, MARCH 29th:

BHA received many emails and calls about the Ultra Festival over the weekend of March 29-31 from Brickell residents who were kept awake into the early morning hours from the noise and commotion of the concert-goers leaving Virginia Key. The shuttle service was slow and overcrowded, resulting in many leaving on foot over the Rickenbacker Causeway to get to one of three areas on the mainland designated for parking and shuttle access.

The City of Miami negotiated this year’s Ultra location with its parent company, Event Entertainment Group, without any input from the Brickell community, moving it from its Downtown location at Bayfront Park after vocal opposition by Downtown residents who have put up with the noise, debauchery and inconvenience for years.

BHA is in discussions with the City of Miami as it contemplates a multiyear lease beginning in 2020. BHA is hoping that elected officials will opt to represent the residents’ interests. Earlier in March BHA filed a lawsuit to block the concert, signifying its extreme displeasure with the City’s backroom handling of the matter. The courts did not support BHA, saying it was not yet an injured party. Now we’ve suffered.

ORIGINAL POST, MARCH 22ND:

In 2018, Ultra recorded over 165,000 attendees and this year the numbers are expected to be similar. With an influx of Ultra rave goers and Spring Breakers we can prepare and brace for traffic along with other concerns. Commander Diaz will have every officer on duty to help minimize disturbances in our community. The responsibility is not only to the commander but to the residents as well, if you see something of concern please call the police department to report it.