Mar 20, 2009 11:08 pm US/Eastern
Dade Commission Vote On-Deck For Marlins Stadium
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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New rendering of the Florida Marlins Stadium to be built on the site of the now-demolished Orange Bowl.
Urban Design Review Board/CBS
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New rendering of the Florida Marlins Stadium to be built on the site of the now-demolished Orange Bowl.
Urban Design Review Board/CBS
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New rendering of the Florida Marlins Stadium to be built on the site of the now-demolished Orange Bowl.
Urban Design Review Board/CBS
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New rendering of the Florida Marlins Stadium to be built on the site of the now-demolished Orange Bowl.
Urban Design Review Board/CBS
-
-
New rendering of the Florida Marlins Stadium to be built on the site of the now-demolished Orange Bowl.
Urban Design Review Board/CBS
After finally winning approval from the Miami City Commission, the planned $634 million Marlins stadium set to be built in Little Havana appears to be rounding third and heading for home. But, still standing in the way is the Miami-Dade County commission.
The stadium will likely not be in question much longer as the county commission plans to vote on the issue during a meeting on Monday. The county was holding off voting on the stadium until it was approved by the City of Miami.
On Thursday, Miami City commissioners approved a 3-part plan for the "development, construction and operation of a new baseball stadium," and "related parking facilities."
The first part of the plan passed by a 3-2 vote, the second vote named Hunt/Moss as construction manager and contractor for the stadium. The final part of the plan allowed for tourist tax dollars to be diverted funding the stadium. Two-thirds of the $634 million plan will be paid for by tourist tax dollars.
With the vote just three days away, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez spent Friday lobbying county commissioners.
"I think it's going to be very close," Alvarez told
CBS4 Reporter David Sutta. "I think you've got certain commissioners who are going to vote for it at this point and time, and you've got some that are totally against it, and you've got some swing votes."
"Unless we get the Marlins to build a stadium on their dime, and with their money, then I don't think I'll be able to give an affirmative vote on this," said Miami-Dade Commissioner Carlos Gimenez.
Gimenez, a definite "no" vote, is planning to load the stadium contract with amendments he believes will sweeten the deal.
Miami and Miami-Dade County would receive a significant amount of money should the team be sold. The Marlins would also set aside $500,000 a year to fund sports activities for the poor.
The team needs seven votes in the county to build the stadium.
To hire the contractor without letting others bid on the deal, there will need to be nine yes votes.
As it stood a year ago, the Marlins didn't have the votes, but now the most unlikely of commissioners appears to be changing his mind.
Senator Javier Soto tore up the Marlins agreement, concerned over the financing, but Friday he told CBS4's David Sutta he has changed his mind. Soto's vote could very well allow the Marlins to play ball in Miami.
Back on Thursday, the swing vote on the Miami City Commission, Michelle Spence-Jones explained to CBS4 Reporter Michael Williams, her vote was about jobs. She added, "When you hear about that, you have to do what is right". The Marlins also agreed that no fewer than 50 percent of the construction jobs will be for people in Miami-Dade County.
Jeffrey Loria, the Florida Marlins owner, said to a mass of reporters, "We all know jobs are needed and families need paychecks. I'm happy about that."
One other note to remember, if the stadium is approved by the county and built, the team will no longer be the Florida Marlins, but will instead be known as the Miami Marlins.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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