Mar 24, 2009 7:54 pm US/Eastern
Marlins Score Home Run With County Vote
Commission Voted 9-4 For The Financing Plan, They Voted 10-3 On The No Bid Contract
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
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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
The roller coaster ride finally came to an end for the Florida Marlins. Monday night, in a 9 to 4 vote, the Miami-Dade County Commission approved plans to build a new domed stadium for the team.
After the marathon meeting and debate, hugs and handshakes were in order as plans to finance the $634 million dollar ballpark at the former site of the Orange Bowl in Little Havana.
As
CBS4's Liv Davalos reported, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez was euphoric in his announcement that the deal would go through.
"It means that a lot of people right now are out of a job are going to have jobs available in an area that needs it. It's a good day for Miami-Dade County," said Alvarez.
The plan calls for the county, which will own the 37 thousand seat venue, to contribute $297 million in county hotel bed taxes and a $50 million general obligations bond. The City of Miami will donate the land and $13 million in bed taxes. They will also build the parking lots, the cost of which will be repaid by the team. The Marlins will contribute $155 million including $35 million for rent and cover cost overruns.
The commissioners also decided to allow the hiring of contractor Hunt/Moss without any bidding on the deal. That item, which needed nine votes to pass, was given final approval in a 10-3 vote.
During the Monday's marathon special session before the stadium vote, several commissioners expressed concerns that the county may need to tap general revenue funds to pay for the ballpark if hotel bed tax revenues drop.
Commissioner Joe Martinez said that he could not vote for something that would possibly take away from the general fund.
"We have no idea if tomorrow, next year, whatever, we'll have to tap into the general fund," said Commissioner Joe Martinez, "(which is used for things such as) police, fire transit, meals for the elderly. In no good conscience do I think it's good policy to take money away from those services, especially during this time."
Commissioners Carlos Gimenez, Sally Heyman and Katy Sorenson also voted against the plan. Sorenson said the final deal was hastily put together and not enough time was given for the commission to review it.
Support for the project won out and the quest for a permanent home for the team finally came to an end. Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria was ecstatic.
"This has never been about a stadium, and it's never really been about the Marlins. The issue all along has been what kind of city do we want to live in, what legacy do we want to leave for our children and to our grandchildren," said Loria.
Construction is slated to begin in July of this year. If all goes as planned the stadium will be ready by Opening day 2012.
CBS4's Michael Williams contributed to this report
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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