I just watched the commission meeting where they discussed the stadium for about an hour and a half. I believe the vote was 11-1 (with Sorenson against, saying she has always been against and always will be). However, it was not as enthusiastic as the number may seem. Many commissioners who voted for it seemed to have a lot of concerns about it and only approved it so that they could go to Tallahassee and hopefully bring back a final deal for the commissioners to vote. It seems like that vote will be a much harder sell, so there is a lot that needs to happen even if the state does approve it. The feeling I got was that since this was non-binding, they didnt really have a problem with it, but this is definitely going to be an uphill battle if it ever comes down to a final vote.

I just watched the commission meeting where they discussed the stadium for about an hour and a half. I believe the vote was 11-1 (with Sorenson against, saying she has always been against and always will be). However, it was not as enthusiastic as the number may seem. Many commissioners who voted for it seemed to have a lot of concerns about it and only approved it so that they could go to Tallahassee and hopefully bring back a final deal for the commissioners to vote. It seems like that vote will be a much harder sell, so there is a lot that needs to happen even if the state does approve it. The feeling I got was that since this was non-binding, they didnt really have a problem with it, but this is definitely going to be an uphill battle if it ever comes down to a final vote.

698302[/snapback]

 

What are their major concerns???

As usual Katy Sorenson remains opposed....

Thanks for the report, Ross.

There were several concerns, but a lot of them centerred on the issue of cost overruns: what happens if the stadium if 3/4 done and runs out of money? what if the county takes a lien on the franchise, sells the team, then has a empty stadium? what about rising costs of steel and concrete?, what if the rent payments cant be covered?, etc. Also there were concerns about local businesses involved in construction, transportation, the use of eminent domain to secure property, etc. I was very pleased to hear Barreiro support the deal wholeheartedly because he had been a detractor in the past. His office is very close to the Orange Bowl and he said the people in the neighborhood are very supportive.

Overall, I was very pleased to see Burgess, Arriola, and Samson showing such a unified front because I think that was a very important factor.

Those are some real concerns, but the obstructionist Sorenson continues to stop any progress in Dade County unless her district gets the lion's share. Sorry Katie, it isn't going to happen this time.

CBS4 Video Report and Local10 Article on today's news: http://capefish.blogspot.com/2005/03/count...marlins_01.html

What I don't get is Jordan complains that there is no money for people that are hungry, homeless, etc and even when there is money, they don't really do a hell of a lot for them anyways.

 

 

Its nice to see that most commisioners are behind this project and now the team, city and county can go up to the capital and see about getting this deal done. I'm sure there are many in the senate that feel the same way about helping the Marlins with public funding, but hopefully, there are a good majority as well that see this as very important to the community and will step up and get it finalized. :thumbup

Great news!

 

On to Tallahassee for the final piece.

 

The strong votes by both the City and County should help.