There is good news and bad news on the stadium front.
First the good news.
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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.
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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.
With the completion date of
Then there is 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.
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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 above shouldn't be a problem.
Now the bad news.
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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