April 21, 200422 yr Marlins' bid for funds falters STADIUM SITE NEAR ORANGE BOWL CHOSEN, TEAM SAYS BY MICHAEL VASQUEZ AND CHARLES RABIN mrvasquez@herald.com TALLAHASSEE - Barring a miraculous turnaround, the Marlins' bid for state help in building a stadium is dead this legislative session. State House Speaker Johnnie Byrd announced Tuesday he will oppose a pending bill in the House that would give the Marlins a $60 million sales tax rebate to be used toward building a stadium. Despite the blow, an undaunted team president revealed late Tuesday that the team had settled on land adjacent to the Orange Bowl as the location of a future stadium. The goal, said Marlins President David Samson, will be to present lawmakers with a comprehensive plan before session ends -- a plan where the only missing financial piece is the sales tax break needed from the Legislature. Building near the Orange Bowl was an idea the team had all but abandoned a month ago, but resurfaced Tuesday night during a conference call with Samson and reporters. ''This is the first time a deal has been so close to being finished,'' Samson said, calling Monday a ''reasonable'' date by which the team might go public with its proposal. The call took place hours after Byrd said he could not support a $60 million tax rebate. Senate President Jim King has long been an outspoken opponent of the plan, while Gov. Jeb Bush has been solidly behind the Marlins' effort. Until now, the Marlins' hopes had hinged on both Byrd and Bush finding a way to sway King. With Byrd now also opposed, the team's hopes for state help have all but vanished: The House and Senate leaders have the power to keep a bill from being voted on by their respective chambers. ''I don't believe that's the appropriate way to invest taxpayer dollars,'' Byrd said Tuesday. When asked if he would allow a full House vote on the Marlins tax break despite his own objections, Byrd responded, ``I don't see that happening.'' WORKING ON DEAL The Marlins are working to piece together a deal to build a $325 million, 38,000-seat retractable-roof stadium. The team says it will contribute $137 million, and Miami-Dade County has offered $73 million, leaving the Marlins $115 million short. Marlins officials have set a self-imposed deadline of May 1 to have a stadium financing plan in place. Finalizing a deal by then will let the team begin playing in its new stadium by 2007. Samson remained upbeat Tuesday, saying a come-from-behind victory is still possible in the Capitol during the next week and a half, after which lawmakers will hang it up for the year. ''With 11 days left, it is by no means over,'' he said. Samson said the team is aiming to figure out every other piece of the stadium puzzle -- except for state funding -- during the next few days. Miami City Manager Joe Arriola confirmed Tuesday that the city and the Marlins are back in contact with each other over the Orange Bowl. `VERY MUCH IN PLAY' ''The Orange Bowl site for the Marlins is very much in play now,'' Arriola said. Arriola said it would be much easier to build a stadium at the Orange Bowl with the addition of state money, but that one can still be built there without the Legislature's help. The city's pending sale of the Miami Arena will free up at least $25 million it can put into Orange Bowl renovations, Arriola said. That sale would also allow the city to use about $6 million a year it gets from Miami-Dade County in bed tax money to go toward the Orange Bowl. Asked if a stadium deal was dependent on the arena sale, Arriola said: ``Unfortunately for the financing, selling the arena really helps.'' http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/84792...mmmmmmm|Trent|Y Well, this could get interesting. I have this sinking feeling that we're going to build a stadium, with no roof, and we're going to get fleeced by the city of Miami. Some of the most bizarre, disorganized negotiations I have ever witnessed...
April 21, 200422 yr I have faith that Loria be making better decisions than John Henry. Whatever they are working on, I hope it is for the better.
April 21, 200422 yr Marlins' bid for funds falters STADIUM SITE NEAR ORANGE BOWL CHOSEN, TEAM SAYS BY MICHAEL VASQUEZ AND CHARLES RABIN mrvasquez@herald.com TALLAHASSEE - Barring a miraculous turnaround, the Marlins' bid for state help in building a stadium is dead this legislative session. State House Speaker Johnnie Byrd announced Tuesday he will oppose a pending bill in the House that would give the Marlins a $60 million sales tax rebate to be used toward building a stadium. Despite the blow, an undaunted team president revealed late Tuesday that the team had settled on land adjacent to the Orange Bowl as the location of a future stadium. The goal, said Marlins President David Samson, will be to present lawmakers with a comprehensive plan before session ends -- a plan where the only missing financial piece is the sales tax break needed from the Legislature. Building near the Orange Bowl was an idea the team had all but abandoned a month ago, but resurfaced Tuesday night during a conference call with Samson and reporters. ''This is the first time a deal has been so close to being finished,'' Samson said, calling Monday a ''reasonable'' date by which the team might go public with its proposal. The call took place hours after Byrd said he could not support a $60 million tax rebate. Senate President Jim King has long been an outspoken opponent of the plan, while Gov. Jeb Bush has been solidly behind the Marlins' effort. Until now, the Marlins' hopes had hinged on both Byrd and Bush finding a way to sway King. With Byrd now also opposed, the team's hopes for state help have all but vanished: The House and Senate leaders have the power to keep a bill from being voted on by their respective chambers. ''I don't believe that's the appropriate way to invest taxpayer dollars,'' Byrd said Tuesday. When asked if he would allow a full House vote on the Marlins tax break despite his own objections, Byrd responded, ``I don't see that happening.'' WORKING ON DEAL The Marlins are working to piece together a deal to build a $325 million, 38,000-seat retractable-roof stadium. The team says it will contribute $137 million, and Miami-Dade County has offered $73 million, leaving the Marlins $115 million short. Marlins officials have set a self-imposed deadline of May 1 to have a stadium financing plan in place. Finalizing a deal by then will let the team begin playing in its new stadium by 2007. Samson remained upbeat Tuesday, saying a come-from-behind victory is still possible in the Capitol during the next week and a half, after which lawmakers will hang it up for the year. ''With 11 days left, it is by no means over,'' he said. Samson said the team is aiming to figure out every other piece of the stadium puzzle -- except for state funding -- during the next few days. Miami City Manager Joe Arriola confirmed Tuesday that the city and the Marlins are back in contact with each other over the Orange Bowl. `VERY MUCH IN PLAY' ''The Orange Bowl site for the Marlins is very much in play now,'' Arriola said. Arriola said it would be much easier to build a stadium at the Orange Bowl with the addition of state money, but that one can still be built there without the Legislature's help. The city's pending sale of the Miami Arena will free up at least $25 million it can put into Orange Bowl renovations, Arriola said. That sale would also allow the city to use about $6 million a year it gets from Miami-Dade County in bed tax money to go toward the Orange Bowl. Asked if a stadium deal was dependent on the arena sale, Arriola said: ``Unfortunately for the financing, selling the arena really helps.'' http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/84792...mmmmmmm|Trent|Y Well, this could get interesting. I have this sinking feeling that we're going to build a stadium, with no roof, and we're going to get fleeced by the city of Miami. Some of the most bizarre, disorganized negotiations I have ever witnessed... According to the article on the Marlins website, the stadium deal includes roof.
April 21, 200422 yr There has been a lot of talk about a roof on the stadium. But there was only one actual rain out last season for the Marlins at home. A retractable roof would be great, but it's not the end all be all.
April 21, 200422 yr I dont love the Orange Bowl site but if its the only way to have the Marlins here I am all for it. :thumbup Only problem with the site is parking but if they buy some lots and build a parking garage it should be fine.
April 21, 200422 yr I am sure the builders will figure things out and Build Parking Garages in neccesary, I am sure they will figure out the parking situation, also what is the PUBLIC transportaiton access to that site? I forget, is their Metro Rail access?
April 21, 200422 yr I don't care if I have to start calling them the Miami Marlins, so long as they stay here in South Florida :thumbup
April 21, 200422 yr I am sure the builders will figure things out and Build Parking Garages in neccesary, I am sure they will figure out the parking situation, also what is the PUBLIC transportaiton access to that site? I forget, is their Metro Rail access? Not right now, but there will be. Voters approved a referendum a little while ago to extend the metrorail to the area.
April 21, 200422 yr i personally don't like teams named after states. i prefer the name of the city. the miami would look better on the uni. name changes i would like: Arizona=Phoenix Diamondbacks Minnesota=? florida=miami marlins texas= dallas rangers colorado=denver rockies
April 21, 200422 yr I am sure the builders will figure things out and Build Parking Garages in neccesary, I am sure they will figure out the parking situation, also what is the PUBLIC transportaiton access to that site? I forget, is their Metro Rail access? There is a good bus system there. Besides Little Havana is a great neighborhood to put it in especially since the Marlins fan base can draw very well from the Cubans...
April 21, 200422 yr name changes i would like: Arizona=Phoenix Diamondbacks Minnesota=? florida=miami marlins texas= dallas rangers colorado=denver rockies No. No offense but those all sound like crap. Besides the fact that a sports franchise that is the only one in a state should be named for the state.
April 21, 200422 yr they sound like crap because you are not used to them. No. They sound like crap because their is no reason to rename them.
April 21, 200422 yr I am sure the builders will figure things out and Build Parking Garages in neccesary, I am sure they will figure out the parking situation, also what is the PUBLIC transportaiton access to that site? I forget, is their Metro Rail access? There is a good bus system there. Besides Little Havana is a great neighborhood to put it in especially since the Marlins fan base can draw very well from the Cubans... Public transportation means zero revenue for the Fish. What good is that? At least at PPS they get $2.00 a car.
April 21, 200422 yr I am sure the builders will figure things out and Build Parking Garages in neccesary,? I am sure they will figure out the parking situation,? also what is the PUBLIC transportaiton access to that site?? I forget, is their Metro Rail access? There is a good bus system there. Besides Little Havana is a great neighborhood to put it in especially since the Marlins fan base can draw very well from the Cubans... Public transportation means zero revenue for the Fish. What good is that? At least at PPS they get $2.00 a car. Yes, but they lose on opportunity from those turned off by the $10 bucks parking.
April 21, 200422 yr I am sure the builders will figure things out and Build Parking Garages in neccesary,? I am sure they will figure out the parking situation,? also what is the PUBLIC transportaiton access to that site?? I forget, is their Metro Rail access? There is a good bus system there. Besides Little Havana is a great neighborhood to put it in especially since the Marlins fan base can draw very well from the Cubans... Public transportation means zero revenue for the Fish. What good is that? At least at PPS they get $2.00 a car. Yes, but they lose on opportunity from those turned off by the $10 bucks parking. HUSBAND: Gee, honey, the Marlins are playing tonite. Let's take the kids down to the game. Whadd'ya think? WIFE: Gee I dunno. 10 bucks to park the Family Truckster is a bit much. HUSBAND: Yeah, you are right. Hey, I got it! Instead, lets use the MetroRail! We'll save the ten bucks! WIFE: Great idea sweetie! It'll be no problem for me to pack up the kids and all our stuff, then trapse it to hell and back on a train. And all the while we can worry about keeping an eye of the kids the whole way there and back! Meh.
April 21, 200422 yr I am sure the builders will figure things out and Build Parking Garages in neccesary,? I am sure they will figure out the parking situation,? also what is the PUBLIC transportaiton access to that site?? I forget, is their Metro Rail access? There is a good bus system there. Besides Little Havana is a great neighborhood to put it in especially since the Marlins fan base can draw very well from the Cubans... Public transportation means zero revenue for the Fish. What good is that? At least at PPS they get $2.00 a car. Yes, but they lose on opportunity from those turned off by the $10 bucks parking. HUSBAND: Gee, honey, the Marlins are playing tonite. Let's take the kids down to the game. Whadd'ya think? WIFE: Gee I dunno. 10 bucks to park the Family Truckster is a bit much. HUSBAND: Yeah, you are right. Hey, I got it! Instead, lets use the MetroRail! We'll save the ten bucks! WIFE: Great idea sweetie! It'll be no problem for me to pack up the kids and all our stuff, then trapse it to hell and back on a train. And all the while we can worry about keeping an eye of the kids the whole way there and back! Meh. you win, I have no clue whatsoever. Are you happy? :cool
April 21, 200422 yr i personally don't like teams named after states. i prefer the name of the city. the miami would look better on the uni. name changes i would like: Arizona=Phoenix Diamondbacks Minnesota=? florida=miami marlins texas= dallas rangers colorado=denver rockies I don't know about the other ones but the Marlins should ahve been named after Miami like the old minor league teams. However we know the politics regarding Miami/Tampa and the expansion committee.
April 21, 200422 yr The Florida Marlins should remain the Florida Marlins because they're Florida's team... Tampa Bay Devil Rays is Tampa's team not the state...
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