Feb 18, 2008 7:52 pm US/Eastern
Commissioners To Meet On New Marlins Stadium
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
After months of debate and negotiations, Miami-Dade County commissioners have finally gotten their first look at a final draft of an agreement that would build a new baseball stadium for the Florida Marlins.
The financial outline, which will cost the county nearly a $100-million more than previously reported, was sent to county commissioners late Saturday.
"We have reached agreement among all the parties and have a Baseball Stadium Agreement we're all comfortable with that we're distributing and briefing commissioners on over the weekend and early next week in advance of a special meeting," Miami-Dade County Manager George Burgess said.
The plan said it still uses tourist tax dollars to fund the majority of the $525 million stadium project that would be built on the site of the old Orange Bowl. The county's share of the cost is now pegged at $347 million, while the City of Miami's share was reduced to $23 million, of which, $10 million would go towards the demolition of the Orange Bowl. The city would also be required to build a 6-thousand car parking garage.
The Marlins' share would be $155 million; $120 million up front and the remaining $35 million in $2.3 million annual rent payments. The Marlins would also pay $750-thousand a year toward capital improvements. To ensure that they would meet their financial obligations, the team would also agree to not relocate for 35 years. The Florida Marlins would also change their name to the Miami Marlins.
Fans at the Doral Ale House said that is about time that major league baseball has a permanent home in South Florida.
"We need a good baseball field and I think we need to support the team," said Theo Papadopoulos, a die-hard Florida Marlins fan.
Both the Miami and Miami Dade commissions will meet Thursday to discuss the financial proposal and possibly vote to approve it.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
