June 13, 200521 yr Putting the new stadium next to the Orange Bowl would not be the best possible place for a new stadium. Here's why: - Putting the stadium next to the Orange Bowl would make the stadium quite land-locked. No room for parking (lets be honest people, parking garages and sport venues are a combination created by the devil himself). And as many of you hurricane fans know, parking in someone's front lawn is almost a requirment risking getting blocked in by someone who decides to leave the game a little later than you do. - The stadium will be in the heart of a dense latin community yes, however this latin community as a very low average household income and will not be able to afford season tickets or many single game tickets once the prices rise from the new stadium. - You are putting the stadium in the middle of a residential area. There is no room for commercial uprising and success (see Wirgley Field, Busch Stadium for commercial success near baseball field) - No real mass transit system and the roads to the Orange Bowl are mainly used for residential traffic and not designed for high traffic. Especially almost every day of the summer. I think we all would agree that the BEST place for a new baseball stadium would be in downtown miami. Yes, this would alienate the Ft. Lauderdale and Palm Beach fans that the present location of Dolphins Stadium has bred. However, There is already mass transit that serves the downtown area very well (see American Airlines arena and Miami Arena) which would eliminate traffic congestion (and with parking only $4 for the Metrorail thats a 60% savings from stadium parking). Lets see why the stadium should go in downtown Miami. - Masstransit already in place. The Metrorail and People Mover, regardless of your existing negative feelings towards them, offer great transit throughout downtown. From the Dadeland South station to Government center is about 30minutes on the metro rail then add 5 minutes on the People Mover. It takes the same amount of time (with no traffic) to drive to Dolphins Stadium. But on a weeknight game forget it because you'll be stuck in traffic. The Orange Bowl does not have great mass transit to it. You could use shuttles to go to and from the Metro station to the stadium but again you run into the problem of traffic congestion in an already congested area. (Hurricane games do not expirence this since they are Saturday afternoon. Marlins games are during the weeknights) - Downtown Miami offers GREAT commercial potential. For those of you who live in South Florida you are well aware of the recent explosion of expensive housing being built in and around downtown Miami which will only lead to nicer shops, resturants, and night clubs. All key ingredients to building a successfull franchise (trust me, there is more to building a popular baseball team than just what happens on the field). - And last but MOST importantly, the emergence of well-to-do latin americans that are flooding Miami. They are coming into Miami and buying up condos and business and transforming Miami into the United States business capital of Central and South America. These people CAN afford season tickets or ticket plans and they WILL attend the games because the stadium is so close to their homes (mostly the condos in downtown). The residents of Little Havana (where the Orange Bowl is) just do not have the nessecary income to be able to afford to go to many games. Obviously all this is easier said than done. Heck, the Marlins don't even have the funding for a stadium yet. And land in downtown Miami is so scarce that building a stadium there seems almost impossible. However, I have realized that many (including myself) have been blinded by the potential gift of a new state-of-the-art stadium for our beloved baseball team that we fail to see it's flaws. There needs to be more consideration on the location of the stadium so that the city, as it does with great success, doesn't rush into a project that 5 years after completion turns out to be a big mistake.
June 13, 200521 yr Author Stadium at current location = HUGE LIABILITY 807571[/snapback] Obviously that goes without saying. i never said Dolphins Stadium should be the home of the Marlins (or even the Dolphins for that matter). But neither should the Orange Bowl be.
June 13, 200521 yr I like the stadium at the current location personally I rather enjoy being able to make a game when getting out of work at 5 o'clock. IF the stadium is placed in south miami. I will need to cancel my season tickets I have had since 1996 for myself and my father wouldnt be able to make the games from up here in palm beach county. I am sure one pair of season tickets wouldnt matter much over all. But, that is two less fans that never missed the games when their half season plans were in
June 13, 200521 yr well musk....if you're willing to pay for it, or you know someone who will...it's fine with me. Though I prefer the Huizenga solution. Roof on present stadium, which is as centrally located as any site.
June 13, 200521 yr You're right. Downtown Miami is probably the best site. Unfortunetly they were not able to come to terms on a suitable location. They chose the Orange Bowl site and are planning on making it a better location that it presently can be. Community development, rail extension, parking lots and so on.
June 13, 200521 yr :deadhorse :banghead 807673[/snapback] I agree with PBMarlin and don't think I need to say more.
June 13, 200521 yr I think it's obvious that downtown is better but that idea got shot down a long time ago, so at this point you're just... :deadhorse
June 13, 200521 yr I don't think downtown Miami happened or will happen because I bet the land cost a lot more $$$$$$.
June 13, 200521 yr Downtown is not viable. It is simply too expensive and too deadlocked at that time of day. Look at the Heat who only draw about half the fans a full baseball game can. The Orange Bowl site is fine. Ever go to a Hurricanes game against a team like Rutgers or Temple? When you have 30,000 fans instead of 60,000 like you do for FSU and Virginia Tech it is much different and much more managable. You point to Wrigley Field....Wrigley is in the middle of a residential area. Busch Stadium is in Downtown St. Louis next to freeways. The Orange Bowl area could see major commercial development. There is nothing stopping it except a lack of events.
June 13, 200521 yr There is no argument. The site will be the Orange Bowl unless the County and the Marlins decide otherwise.
June 13, 200521 yr Anyone remember when the Hialeah Race Track site was being looked at by some county officials? :lol That would've been a disaster.
June 13, 200521 yr What would be a disaster is the team not getting a stadium. I have been optimistic for some time now, but I am losing faith by the minute. Its 2005 we won a WS in 2003, its almost 2 years and STILL no plans. Im scared, really scared this team leaves.
June 13, 200521 yr There are no plans. And if there are they are NOT WORKING. Something needs to be done.
June 13, 200521 yr There are no plans. And if there are they are NOT WORKING. Something needs to be done. 808115[/snapback] There are plans. The Marlins have poured large amounts of money already in design. The plans are out now being discussed as to what can be adjusted to allow the project to work on the current budget allowance. They are also talking about any other possible sources of revenue to allow an increase to the budget.
June 13, 200521 yr Yeah but when are we going to read or hear on the news "We have good news, the Marlins will start construction on their new stadium on..." Will be anytime soon? I don't think so. :confused
June 13, 200521 yr Yeah but when are we going to read or hear on the news "We have good news, the Marlins will start construction on their new stadium on..." Will be anytime soon? I don't think so. :confused 808153[/snapback] You have no idea how this type of thing is built. There is much more to do before you see groundbreaking. They must come to a deal between the parties that is binding and final. Then they get the land, then they clear the land, then they start applying for permits and getting plans into the various code enforcement and development agencies. Studies need to be done to check on the roads, infrastructure, and sewers. It takes time, you wouldn't see the start of construction start by the end of 2005 even if the deal was finished today. There is work being done as it always is...quietly.
June 13, 200521 yr BTW, it takes about 24-30 months to build a ballpark like this. For a 2008 season start they would need to start by September or October to be safe. For 2009's season opener you can start by September of 2006.
June 14, 200521 yr Lets say this park isn't ready for the first couple months of 2008 and Mr. Huipinga doesn't let them play at DS for 2 months I'm guessing we would play at an alternate site. (Like the A's did a few years ago) -Orange Bowl -Ft. Lauderdale Stadium -Homestead Sports Complex -Tropicana Field -Cracker Jack Stadium -Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville I highly doubt this would happen though.
June 14, 200521 yr The team would play games on the road and then backload a home schedule the second half.
June 14, 200521 yr BTW, it takes about 24-30 months to build a ballpark like this. For a 2008 season start they would need to start by September or October to be safe. For 2009's season opener you can start by September of 2006. 808181[/snapback] Cape you seriously just make things up...a stadium will take 42-48 months atleast to build...the American Airlines Arena took over 4 years, it was delayed about 5 months cause of a fire yes, but stadiums dont take 24-30 months that's absurd
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