Stadium in Palm Beach County

Accord · July 12, 2005

Three years after his initial proposal for a Major League Baseball stadium in Palm Beach County fizzled, Boynton Beach City Commissioner Muir C. "Mike" Ferguson is at it again.

During the past two months, Ferguson has written to the governor and the Florida Marlins about locating a new stadium on vacant land either near Boca Raton, Lake Worth or Delray Beach.

There are a few possible obstacles, he concedes. Oddly enough, in his own proposal, he allows it's "not a viable idea."

Still, he said his proposal might be one of the last hopes of keeping the team from moving out of state.

"Somebody has to come up with the $50 million in hard money," Ferguson said of his proposal. "I can get the rest financed."

His plan calls for a joint venture with a bank and "sophisticated leveraging." It would take $500 million to build a 45,000-seat domed stadium, according to Ferguson's estimate.

If his plan could win support this year, a stadium could be ready in 2008, Ferguson said.

Potential sites are a 40-acre tract south of Spanish River Boulevard in Boca Raton across from Florida Atlantic University; a 65-acre piece of city land in Lake Worth north of A.G. Holley Hospital; and a 70-acre, developer-owned tract on West Atlantic Avenue at One Mile Road west of Delray Beach.

Considering the ongoing cash shortfall for a new stadium in Miami, Ferguson said he is surprised his plan hasn't garnered more attention.

Miami and Miami-Dade officials have pledged $166 million to a new stadium, and the Marlins agreed to pay $192 million from future stadium revenue. Parking revenue would provide an additional $32 million, for a $390 million total. That would leave $30 million unfunded.

The state House passed a measure this year that would have provided the funds, but the Senate refused to consider the issue.

The Marlins politely declined Ferguson's help.

"Thank you very much for your proposal for a stadium in South Palm Beach County," Marlins Vice Chairman Joel Mael wrote. "At this time, we are going in a different direction."

Gov. Jeb Bush's office sent the commissioner an e-mail this month stating the governor will "consider your comments and those of other Floridians" on the stadium issue.

In 2002, Ferguson tried to entice Marlins officials with a proposal that suggested an unnamed California power company would offer a $350 million sponsorship for a ballpark in Boynton Beach near Gateway Boulevard and I-95. It failed to generate any support.

Despite the setbacks, Ferguson said he isn't giving up hope.

"We need to keep this ball team in South Florida," he said.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/politics/cont...bfish_0711.html

FreshFish · July 12, 2005

Stadium? where do I sign up

Keep it anywhere between Homestead and Jupiter and I'll be happy

SoFlaFish · July 12, 2005

Just another hairbrained scheme from Commissioner Ferguson. Trust me, nothing should be made of this. I do significant amount of work with the City Commission of Boynton Beach and this is NOT a city sponsored plan or idea.

Shaq-Man · July 14, 2005

it must have been a slow day in the palm beach post newsroom.

Fish Tank Frenzy · July 14, 2005

I love his passion to keep the Marlins in South Florida. As much as i would love to see a stadium in Downtown Miami or IN Dade County for that matter, if Palm Beach can get a stadium done than by all means Git-R-Done.

PBMarlin · July 15, 2005

I wouldn't mind it one bit, but doubt very seriously this could ever happen.

Sounds like Ferguson has been spending too much time with Don King.

July 15, 2005

If a stadium is in Palm Beach instead of Las Vegas, that's very cool and I'm all for it.

But they lost this season ticket holder. I can barely make it to JRS on time for games, no way I can make it to Broward or even worse Palm Beach.

Beinfest4Prez · July 15, 2005

They need a centralized location much like JRS. Palm Beach county may build the stadium but who is going to go? This doesn't apply to everyone but it seems Palm Beach fans are just as bad, if not worse, than Miami fans. But as long as the Marlins are down here still I am ok with it.

Fishfan79 · July 15, 2005

Put it in boca right next to FAU that would ROCK! hehehe. They could rent it out to FAU to use too on days that marlins arent playing. I would Love this and would up my own package of season tickets to a full 81 games if this did take place. I can dream and hope at least this does indeed happen. I know the land they are talking of and it fits perfectly. It would be near the new FAU football stadium. So parking could be done easily too then.

I know it wont happen but a guy can dream right? Keep the fish here!

legacyofCangelosi · July 15, 2005

Palm beach is not a big market. For seats to sell it needs to in south broward or in dade, those are the most populous areas. JRS by the way is not really in a centralized area. Although it is in between the two counties, its really in the outskirts of both.

Marlins2003 · July 15, 2005

What the Marlins are attempting to do by siting the stadium at the OB (and I'm not saying I like the site) is to center it in where the population density is the greatest.

Moving to Palm Beach county doesn't offer the same population density.

musk · July 15, 2005

oh MAN. palm beach! are you kidding. even if this had merit to it that would suck. say good bye to latin fans. say good bye to a fan base that is a couple of million people.

Pengh · July 15, 2005

I don't think it would work in P.B.C... although it would be cool though, I've lived here in West palm all my life... Go South Florida Marlins!

bristud · July 16, 2005

:hat Three years after his initial proposal for a Major League Baseball stadium in Palm Beach County fizzled, Boynton Beach City Commissioner Muir C. "Mike" Ferguson is at it again.