Jul 23, 2008 5:37 pm US/Eastern
No Decision In Megaplan Trial For At Least A Month
One Legal Argument Was Whether A Ballpark Is Of "Paramount Public Purpose"
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
In closing arguments on Wednesday before Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jeri Beth Cohen,
CBS4 Reporter Michael Williams said lawyers for Miami-Dade claimed there was no question a new ballpark would enhance its efforts to become a world-class city.
But auto tycoon Norman Braman filed a suit against what was called Miami's "megaplan" because part of the proposal included the $515-million dollar stadium for the Marlins in Little Havana.
In his suit, Braman claimed the financing package should be put up for a public vote because it diverts public money intended to help renovate urban areas to help pay for the stadium.
Judge Jeri Beth Cohen said she planned to wait until the Florida Supreme Court finishes its work on a similar case involving the use of public money without a vote before she makes her final decision.
Whatever the outcome, all sides agree the matter will be appealed to a higher court.
On Tuesday, the president of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce told the court if Miami wants to be viewed as a 'major league' city, it's important to keep Major League Baseball right here.
"Baseball is just so critical to really being a major league city, a great American city," said Miami Chamber President Barry Johnson. He talked about the 'intangibles' like community pride; he said that makes the Marlins an important part of the community fabric.
Outside the courtroom, there have been protests, some of whom were laborers and activists rallying for a say in what the city should do. Many jobless laborers were saying they needed the jobs that construction of the stadium would create, but others said the city and county need to give citizens a say in the plan.
At the beginning of the week, former Governor Jeb Bush's economic advisor Tony Villamil discussed the economic benefits the new ballpark would bring to the area.
Braman's attorney Bob Martinez challenged Villamil's predictions for the economic stimulus the park would bring to Little Havana and the surrounding areas since the Marlins have refused to hand over their financial records, and he had to base his testimony on a study he did in 2001 for former team owner John Henry.
Besides the ballpark, the megaplan would build a tunnel to the Port of Miami, pay off debt at a performing arts center, start a downtown trolley system and build a museum park.
The Marlins had hoped to begin play in the new 37,000-seat stadium in 2011, but the judge's decision to put off her decision leaves that outcome in flux.
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