Future of Ultra Music Festival in downtown Miami put on hold

Resolution called to end Music Festival in Miami, cites breach of contract

MIAMI ā€“ The future of Ultra in downtown Miami has been put on hold for another two weeks after the Miami City Commission decided to delay the vote on the fate Thursday.

Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff had backed a resolution that would prohibit the Bayfront Park Management Trust from holding the music festival in the future, citing a breach of contract.

On Thursday, after questions over the wording of the resolution, the item was changed to a "discussion" for the next meeting, which will take place April 24.

On opening night in March, Ultra fans broke down a fence and trampled security guard Ericka Mack. Plans submitted to the city by Ultra show that a stronger fence in the area where Mack was hurt was never installed.

She remains at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Bayfront Park depends on Ultra for a majority of its annual revenue.

Thursday night, Ultra released the following statement about the outcome of Thursday's city commission meeting to Local 10:

"Today, Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff and Mayor TomƔs Regalado withdrew their resolution to ban the Ultra Music Festival from Bayfront Park in downtown Miami. Following that withdrawal, the city commission has alternatively scheduled the issue for general discussion on April 24 at 10 a.m.

The overwhelming and unyielding support of the Greater Miami and Beaches Hotel Association, downtown Miami businesses and residents, and of Ultra fans around the world has resulted in a short-term victory by event organizers in its recent bout to keep Ultra at Bayfront Park, in downtown Miami.

Since its launch in 1999, Ultra Music Festival has attracted millions of visitors to the city of Miami. The annual event has brought considerable economic impact to the city of Miami and surrounding communities, which includes generating over $223 million in 2013 alone. Last year, the 6-day event created over 1,800 direct jobs.

Event organizers remain thankful for the infinite support of their patrons and partners in Miami and across the world. Ultra remains committed to working actively with the city of Miami, its police, fire and risk departments, and the Bayfront Park Management Trust to continually make the event safe, secure and successful.

Ultra will continue to put forth its positive message and request that its supporters remain committed to helping again on April 24 when Ultra will be discussed by the Miami City Commission."


About the Author:

Elsa Bolt is a South Florida native and an Emmy Award Winning Executive News Producer. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of Miami in 2008, she entered the news industry and has spent most of her career with Local 10 News.