Stadium News - Sort of

As Jrsyeagle reported in yesterday's Chum Bucket, the Marlins released the stadium's renderings.

If by some chance you haven't seen them already, just take a look:

Marlins stadium's renderings

I'm with Brickell on this one, if the colors are to be believed, one of the best features is that their isn't much in the way of orange.  Which is a good thing.

If you were so inclined to zoom in you will see the dimensions in the outfield are as follows:

LF - 340'

LC - 384'

CF - 420'

CF-R - 416'

RC - 392'

RF - 335'

It is a big field, now whether it will play like one is another question.  Minute Maid was designed by HOK to be a pitcher's park.  But once play started in the stadium it was soon discovered that it was anything but a pitcher's park.

I didn't get the chance to study the renderings or the construction agreement enough to know the height of the outfield fence in the various fields.  Which, of course, could be a major factor.  But that will soon come out.

Oh, the construction agreement along with the other stadium agreements were release by the county yesterday also.

Stadium agreements

It is kinda long, but there are some interesting aspects contained within.

If you have a lot of money you can watch the boys of summer in an upholstered seat.  Or if you are like the rest of us you will be riding on plastic.  One interesting thing, to me at least, is part of the outfield seating is slated for bench seating -- I didn't know they still made modern professional sports stadiums with bench seating.  Live and learn.

The stadium will have a pool and possibly a beach.  There will also be a large animatronic Marlin which will jump when the Fish hit a home run.

If you want to take a look at all the proposed facilities they are on page 101 in CAA Exhibit D.

The vote on the agreements is still on tap for Feb. 13.  However, the Marlins made some concessions.

The team’s rent payment of $2.3 million a year will rise 2 percent a year – meaning more money for the county to cover its debt. The team will provide 81,000 tickets – or 1,000 a game at an “affordable price” starting at $15 in the ballpark’s inaugural year. Another 10,000 – double the original 5,000 – a season will be provided free for youth groups and community organizations.

If the team is sold within seven years, the team would have to pay a higher percentage than initially planned, to the county as a profit share. Under last year’s agreement, the team would pay 10 percent if the team was sold in year one; under the new agreement, that’s shot up to 18 percent. The percentage falls each year, but is significantly more onerous than in the earlier agreement – arguably creating something of a disincentive to sell.

The schedule for that Friday is:

The city commission is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. Feb. 13, followed by a 1 p.m. meeting of the county commission. The county commission must approve the agreements by a two-thirds vote -- or 9 -- of the 13 county commissioners. Expect it to be another long day.

I will try to remember to link to the video of the discussions and the votes.

Come Friday the 13th, we will know whether it will become a reality.