It appears that the Marlins may finally be getting their new ballpark, after eight years of waiting.
City and county commissioners in Miami voted in favor of building a new $515 million, retractable-roof stadium at the site of the Orange Bowl.
There are still some details to be worked out, but the financing would be set up this way:
- $347 million derived from a $50 million general obligation bond approved by voters in 2004 to renovate the Orange Bowl.
- $13 million from the city of Miami, stemming from hotel taxes
- $120 million up front from the Marlins.
- $35 million from rent
If things move smoothly, the stadium would open in 2011, and the Marlins would change their name to the Miami Marlins.
Agreement came late last night, following a hearing of county commissioners. The hearing featured some of the same kind of histrionics that D.C. residents saw during the debate over building a stadium for the Nationals.
"I just want you to know that if you decide not to make a decision tonight, that will be the death knell for baseball in Miami," MLB Chief Operating Officer DuPuy said, according to press accounts of the hearing. "We are out of time."
