The Florida Marlins have released rendered images of their planned new ballpark on the site of the Orange Bowl in Miami. Fans will know as early as Februaury 13th 2009 if the stadium has been given the go-ahead as that is the date set aside for a decision on the contracts by the Miami-Dade County and Miami city commissioners.

courtesy Florida Marlins
The ballpark carries an estimated $515 million pricetag and will feature a fully retractable roof. If approved in February, the ballpark is slated to open ready for the 2012 season.

courtesy Florida Marlins
“A lot of hard work went into hammering out the baseball stadium agreements,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez said in a statement. “Construction must include local firms, small businesses, and meet green building standards. Workers must be provided responsible wages. Baseball will remain affordable. We’re not crossing our fingers and hoping these promises hold true. We’ve got it in writing.”
The project’s supporters need two-thirds of the county commission to vote for the operating agreement, the non-relocation agreement, the assurance agreement, the city parking agreement, and the construction and administration agreement.
“These are the nuts and bolts of the deal,” said Burgess, referring to the five documents, which have been agreed upon by all parties.

courtesy Florida Marlins
Larry Spring, the city’s CFO, said the Marlins owners had made concessions during the negotiations specifically as they relate to covering the cost overruns on the infrastructure. The negotiations had always involved the team absorbing overruns on the stadium, but they agreed to take on more responsibility, which is great for the taxpayers.
“The infrastructure issue was a concession,” he said. “That’s a big deal.”
City and county officials have been working with the Marlins’ owners for the last year on agreements that would allow a 37,000-seat stadium to be built on the former site of the Orange Bowl.
Marlins Stadium Developer, comprising the owners of the Florida Marlins, will build the stadium. Once complete, the county will own the stadium.

courtesy Florida Marlins
Source & Full Article: nbc6.net
Source & Full Article: South Florida Business Journal
See also:
Dolphin Stadium on sportingsights.com
Florida Marlins official website



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