Miami Gardens officials honor Ron Book with dedication of Hard Rock Stadium pedestrian tunnel

Florida Legislature
State and local leaders gathered to christen the Ronald L. Book Pedestrian Tunnel on Friday.

The Ronald L. Book Pedestrian Tunnel will be open for business during Sunday’s Miami Dolphins game after the Miami Gardens City Council OK’d a name change dedicating the tunnel to influential South Florida lobbyist Ron Book.

State and local leaders gathered Friday at a naming ceremony outside Hard Rock Stadium. The tunnel, which helps lead fans up to the stadium in Miami Gardens, now features a sign dedicating the stretch to Book.

Book lobbied the state for millions in funding for pedestrian safety projects at Hard Rock Stadium. That work led Miami Gardens officials to honor Book with the tunnel designation.

“I am proud to be able to ensure pedestrian safety at such a special place in our community and truly humbled to receive this honor from my hometown City Council,” Book said, thanking officials for the dedication.

“I grew up in North Dade County, doing my local paper route and reading front page news about the Miami Dolphins at a time when my family couldn’t afford tickets — now, I’m lucky enough to be a part of the ‘Fins family and take my kids and grandkids to games. I can’t wait to walk under the tunnel with my family, knowing we’ll all be able to cross safely and cheer our team to victory.”

Miami Dolphins CEO Tom Garfinkle also highlighted Book’s work helping secure the funding for the pedestrian safety projects.

“I believe this tunnel has saved lives that we’ll never know about,” Garfinkle said. “Thank you, Ron, for your work to make this public-private partnership possible.”

Book runs a law firm and is a routine presence in Tallahassee, advocating on behalf of clients during the Legislative Session. His daughter, Lauren Book, holds the Senate Democratic Leader role.

Sen. Lauren Book was on hand at Friday’s dedication ceremony, as were a litany of other elected leaders.

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris, Sen. Jason Pizzo and Miami-Dade County Commissioners Oliver Gilbert and Jose Pepe Diaz all attended. Former Sen. Oscar Braynon II, who has transitioned into a lobbying role, also joined Friday’s ceremony, as did Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito.

Ryan Nicol

Ryan Nicol covers news out of South Florida for Florida Politics. Ryan is a native Floridian who attended undergrad at Nova Southeastern University before moving on to law school at Florida State. After graduating with a law degree he moved into the news industry, working in TV News as a writer and producer, along with some freelance writing work. If you'd like to contact him, send an email to [email protected].


13 comments

  • Kevin

    December 6, 2021 at 8:39 am

    Is the tunnel to keep pedestrians safe when he’s drunk driving his Lamborghini again?

  • BeverlyHeatherly

    December 6, 2021 at 8:41 am

    Hello How are you

  • Derek Logue

    December 6, 2021 at 11:04 am

    You will have to rename the Hard Rock Stadium to Hard Liquor Stadium in order of Muami’s preeminent drunk driver, Ronald “Stagger” Lee Book.

    • Brandi Reaves

      December 6, 2021 at 4:01 pm

      Lookie here! It’s Derek Logue, out on bail for four years now for grand theft in Broward, demonstrating his fixation with Ron and Lauren Book.

      • Larry Lynch

        December 7, 2021 at 1:38 am

        So says the one who is so fixated with me that he/she/it uses my ex wife’s name as a screen name. The difference between me and the Books is that the recent accusations against me are all false. Book is an alcoholic and Lauren Book sends illicit photos to others, so neither of them can belittle anyone else.

        • Verdine Burden

          December 7, 2021 at 11:40 am

          You’re just jealous because Lauren Book gets widespread
          sympathetic media coverage. In comparison, your widespread notoriety is all about conviction of a child sexual offense and long pending Broward grand theft charges.

          • Marina Hammond

            December 7, 2021 at 8:33 pm

            You are going to end up as disappointed with the result of the false theft claims as Georgia fans were at the SEC championship game. I look forward to your pending disappointment.

  • Lucky Larry

    December 7, 2021 at 8:31 pm

    You are just upset Derek Logue exposed Lauren Book as a patholical liar multiple times in FloriDUH courts. Her losses against Derek are far from finished, either.

  • Will Bassler

    December 8, 2021 at 5:39 pm

    Good of you to get her out of Spruce Haven Trailer Park.

    • Nick Ireland

      December 10, 2021 at 2:59 am

      Ron Book is still civilly liable for nearly killing a man with his drunk driving. He should be in jail, but I will settle for Book losing a million or two as adequate compensation.

      • Chris Hansen

        December 10, 2021 at 2:45 pm

        If there’s anything else you’d like to tell us we would like to hear it. Otherwise, you’re free to leave anytime.

        • Nick Ireland

          December 15, 2021 at 4:56 pm

          Chris Hansen is a has-been. He got busted in a cheating sting plus he was arrested for bad checks.

      • Rodney Wright

        December 16, 2021 at 12:18 pm

        You will settle? Baaaaaahahahaha. Angry dreamer.

Comments are closed.


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