Stadium News - Sort of

by craig on Jan 24, 2008 8:00 AM EST in News Comment 5 comments

There is good news and bad news on the stadium front.

The Florida Marlins are confident they can build a new 37,000-seat stadium with a retractable roof, 300 club seats and 60 suites for $389.4 million, documents show.

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Under the agreement, the Marlins would keep proceeds from the naming rights to the new ballpark, and construction materials used to build the stadium -- totaling $525 million ...

In other words, Home of the Whopper!

The article goes on.

"The team has determined that the baseball stadium can be completed within the stadium project budget," the agreement says. But the preliminary contract stipulates that the Marlins would be bound to pay costs "that exceed the stadium project budget" of $525 million.

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The county, which would own the stadium, is to contribute $249 million, Miami $121 million and the Marlins $155 million. Although its costs could be greater, the team would be required to set aside $20 million for cost overruns and any claims that resulted from building the stadium.

As expected the Marlins will handle the cost overruns. But it isn't clear what will happen should the overruns be over $20 million, which could easily be the case.

I'm now taking stuff out of order.

The preliminary agreement also requires Miami to raze the Orange Bowl, clear debris and conduct an environmental impact study by March 31 -- all at city expense -- and turn over the deed to the land to the county by May 31.

With the completion date of

The preliminary contract states that "reasonable efforts" would be made to complete construction by opening day on April 1, 2011.

Then there is this:

The Florida Marlins want $4.4 million in sales tax exemptions and waivers on $1.7 million in local impact fees to help lower their share of costs in building a $525 million baseball stadium.
The Marlins also want the City of Miami or Miami-Dade County to provide the team with at least 3,000 square feet of office space within 2 miles of the Orange Bowl that the team can use for marketing work. The space must be provided within six months of a permanent contract among all three entities.

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The team wants the state to exempt construction materials from its sales tax, which would save $4.4 million, and another $1.7 million in waivers from city and county impact fees.
The sales tax waiver would need an OK from the Legislature, which is looking to cut this year's budget $1 billion.
On Tuesday, county Mayor Carlos Alvarez said the Marlins contract could be done by Friday.

I've got news for the county, city and the team, there ain't no way the state is going to approve a tax waiver. Especially given the economic downturn. The three can approve whatever they want, but that doesn't mean the state will go along with it. I hope if a waiver from state doesn't happen, and it won't, it isn't a deal killer. Surely it wouldn't be.

Along with this:

The Marlins also want the City of Miami or Miami-Dade County to provide the team with at least 3,000 square feet of office space within 2 miles of the Orange Bowl that the team can use for marketing work. The space must be provided within six months of a permanent contract among all three entities.

The above shouldn't be a problem.

Now the bad news.

Luxury auto dealer Norman Braman filed a legal challenge Wednesday to a plan to fund $3 billion worth of projects in the city of Miami, including a Marlins ballpark at the site of the Orange Bowl.

Braman's lawsuit filed in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court claims the county's decision to move $50 million in general obligation bond funding approved by voters in 2004 to renovate the Orange Bowl to the ballpark project violates the state constitution. It also says changing the source of repayment of bonds on the performing arts center to free up dollars for the ballpark breaches the contract with bondholders, which include Braman.

The suit also takes aim at County Manager George Burgess for negotiating on behalf of the county commission the overall plan forged between the county and Miami last month -- and one to fund the stadium -- in private in violation of public records law.

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Braman, who is planning additional challenges to the plan, said taxpayers have been denied access to negotiations and a say in the use of taxpayer dollars for the Marlins.

It is entirely possible that Braman's lawsuits could cause a delay.

Oh, if you are thinking about purchasing a car, may I suggest Maroone.

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Comments

Braman

Sorry to curse, but I hate this asshole. These old guys just do not like to see anyone happy. He's probably from NY, and never created a new loyalty. F him. He probably will not lose any money from this deal. He more than likely gets his money no matter what. He's probably just bored with his life and is looking to get involved in some politics/lawsuit that will spice up his life. My roommate's grandparents are actually buddies with the guy, I'm gonna see if I can have my roommate talk some sense into the asshole.
What's even more ridiculous is: what the hell would they do with the orange bowl site anyway? The fact is that the OB is standing dead. It's already abandoned and no one will ever use it again (other than the legends dolphins vs. canes game). The land needs to be used and ASAP. The more Braman interferes and delays the project the more money everyone stands to lose.

Out

by GMFB on Jan 24, 2008 9:36 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Braman

He's concerned about taxes, and in my opinion deservedly so. This may or may not be the best use of public money. I have no problem with him fighting for his side. Since the negotiations have been almost all completely inside and secret, this is the only way he has left.

In other news, why wouldn't they make the office space part of the stadium??

Are we ever going to see an actual rendering of this before it's approved? Will there be restaurants? How is the transportation going to work?

I love the Marlins but this deal is fishy. It stinks. I don't like it. If approved they'll be begging for a new stadium in less than 15 years, nevermind the 30 they're supposed to stay. Don't think it can happen? Just look down the street at the Miami Arena that now sits empty.

by brickell on Jan 24, 2008 11:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

brickell

This post is fishy. It stinks. I don't like it.

And your arguments are contemptibly inadequate.

Who's fuckin' side are you on anyways?!?

"This will all end in tears, I just know it."

by HadMatter on Jan 24, 2008 3:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sides

I'm on the sides of taxpayers in Dade county. I don't support, but accept public money for stadiums as a way of life. But the way the Marlins and county leaders have gone about it is wrong. The Orange Bowl is just a bad place for a baseball stadium. Neither side has any money. I just don't see any scenario where this turns into a quality product.

by brickell on Jan 24, 2008 4:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

OB

The OB is a perfect site for a stadium, its like a mile away from downtown. What else will they do with the tax revenues? Nothing to please Braman. Theyre doing it as a part of a huge multibillion dollar development, and it's needed. The city is growing very quickly. The gov. needs to keep pace. It's just too bad they are extremely inefficient and corrupt. They do not know how to make concessions and compromises. On another note, I drove by the empty lot right next to 395. It pisses me off that theres no talk of a stadium there because the AAA is in a perfect spot. What's worse is that theyre putting a retarded frickin museum there that will be grossly overpriced.
The other thing is that this is how stadiums are built, with tax money. the city or county ends up owning the stadium. hopefully braman doesnt get standing to sue and the suit will be tossed.

by GMFB on Jan 27, 2008 7:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs