Stadium deadline passes for Marlins

Deadline doesn't end dreams of downtown stadium

Associated Press

MIAMI -- South Florida lawmakers and the Florida Marlins were unable to meet baseball's Thursday deadline for a detailed update on the funding plans for a proposed ballpark in downtown Miami.

Team, city and Miami-Dade County officials were informed of the deadline last month in a letter from Major League Baseball chief operating officer Bob DuPuy, who has said the request was not a now-or-never ultimatum, just a strong reminder that baseball officials want the matter resolved sooner rather than later.

At issue is a planned 38,000-seat, retractable-roof ballpark with an estimated price tag of between $420 million and $435 million. The Marlins want the facility built adjacent to Miami's Orange Bowl, and hope to move in by the 2008 season.

"I understand his need to know how we're doing, but no, we don't have a letter that we'll be sending that lays out the definitive plan," county manager George Burgess said. "We're still working very hard."

City and county officials pledged $166 million toward the ballpark, and Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria agreed to pay $192 million in rent. A $32 million parking garage is expected to pay for itself, but that leaves a funding gap of up to $45 million -- which state lawmakers have repeatedly balked at assisting with.

Officials in Tallahassee have turned down four separate funding requests from the Marlins in recent years, most recently this year's bill -- shot down early last month -- that would have granted the team a 30-year subsidy and covered the gap in the current spending plan.

Burgess said the parties simply haven't had enough time to determine their next move.

"Quite frankly, we went to the state of Florida with a fairly involved financial plan," Burgess said. "If that didn't work out by the time the session ended, it's not like we could come back in a month with a Plan B."

The Marlins did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"We're still talking," DuPuy said.

DuPuy did not return a telephone message left at his office, or an e-mail. A message left seeking comment from Miami city manager Joe Arriola was not returned, and Miami Mayor Manny Diaz was in Chicago on business, said Alejandro Miyar, his spokesman.

Burgess said there are several options that could make the stadium a reality; it's simply a matter of finding which one works best.

"There's not pessimism," Burgess said. "I'm not pessimistic. I believe there can be a resolution."

Talks are ongoing. It's not dead yet.