I recently moved up to Charlotte, NC from SoFla. There is an article in today's Charlotte Observer (www.charlotte.com) "Florida Team to Consider Uptown Site: Big Pitch, Ballpark, Marlins". The amazing thing is the county board found the $700 million dollar privately financed stadium plan "intriguing," "amazing," and "exciting."

 

Marlins officials are supposed to be up here in February or March to discuss the 38,000 seat retractable roof stadium. There is alot more positive than negative in this article for Charlotte residents.

 

Thought you guys would like to know how things are being looked at from other markets.

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/13659032.htm

 

This is the same city that lost the Hornets. The city couldn't provide 15K+ fans a night for 41 games in an entire year. What makes people think they'll support the Marlins any better?

Any link?

 

 

I didn't read it on line. I read it in the paper. This link should take you to it: http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/13659032.htm

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/13659032.htm

 

This is the same city that lost the Hornets. The city couldn't provide 15K+ fans a night for 41 games in an entire year. What makes people think they'll support the Marlins any better?

 

 

They also averaged more per game in a basketball arena for 11 years in a row (23,172 lowest average) than the Marlins do in a baseball stadium (22,792) until the Hornets owner alienated the fanbase.

 

I happen to think Charlotte would do very well with a baseball team, I'd just rather it not be this one.

If the Marlins moved I'd prefer North Carolina. If I were to remain a fan of the Marlins they'd need to be on the east coast so I could see their games at a reasonable time. Also, though it's a further trek than to Dolphins Stadium, Miami, Fort Lauderdale or WPB...North Carolina is doable for a couple of games a season. If they landed in Vegas or Portland well, that would be that.

 

The Marlins will remain here is still my best guess. If the Marlins were visiting this area they'd get a nice dog and pony show. The mayor would make share his vision and the fans would show excitement. Then down the road the painful truth would surface...no one wants to give Loria $500M. For an area NOT to sound great after an initial visit is almost impossible.

 

So they find the $700 million dollar privately financed stadium plan "intriguing," "amazing," and "exciting." I am sure it's all three. However, intriguing means there is a catch. Amazing is simply a grand vision w/o costs. And Exciting is simply a word to describe the process and hope. The word missing here is "doable."

Very feasible. Charlotte's home to a number of large businesses. So they'd might have the support of the business community which they haven't been able to attract in South Florida for a number of reasons (namely, having limited ability to pay them back with amenities at Huizenga's stadium). A large cosmopolitan population with limited entertainment options available. The Orioles' and Nationals' Mid Atlantic Sports Network may dip into their TV revenue, but I think the placement of northern NC into MASN wasn't definite and could be easily reversed. It might work. But it also might work in South Florida, and there's still some time to seek out all their options.

Very feasible.

 

 

This is a $700 million project. If all 6000 homes are all small (1,500 sq ft) condo's, that's about $100 million. The shopping mall, even if modest, will run about $200 - $300 million. That leaves a maximum $400 million for the stadium - which is an extremely conservative (and unrealistic) amount. Either the plans are going to be cut back, or there is going to be some huge cost overruns.

 

Since he isn't foolish enough to invest in this himself, he wants the public to to invest the $700 million. They'll get a decent return in the short term on the $100 million for the condos. The mall will take 15 years to get any return - and then only if Internet retail has zero growth.

 

The stadium, in and of itself, cannot provide any return at all unless the Marlins sign a lease much worse than the one they have now. Assume that the stadium is built for the ridiculously low $400 million, there is no interest, and ignoring inflation, maintenance, etc.. Further, assume the investors only desire a modest 10% annual return is desired along with the recovery of the initial investment evenly over 30 years. The annual cost recovery is $13.33 million ($400 million / 30 years). The desired return is $40 million ($400 million * 10%). That's a total of $53.33 million that must be returned to the investors in the first year. If the attendance averaged 30,000 per game for each of the 81 games, the investors would have to make $21.95 off each ticket. I don't know what they are now, but in 2003 the Yankees had an average ticket price of $24.86. Even at Yankee prices, that allows for the team to keep a whopping 12% of the gate receipts - and the Marlins thought the current lease sucked.

 

If you think it's feasible, go for it.

I meant the market, it has nearly everything a post-1980 baseball team needs. The financing doesn't seem to be even off the ground floor yet.

I meant the market, it has nearly everything a post-1980 baseball team needs. The financing doesn't seem to be even off the ground floor yet.

 

 

I agree with that - the demographics are there.

Hartford Whalers moved to one of the Carolinas so this wouldn't be the first team to jump ship for there

Part of what may be at play here, and with relocation/stadium funding generally, is how Washington DC plays out.

 

If no accord can be reached between DC and MLB and a decision is made to move the Nationals again, or if MLB winds up kicking in funds towards construction, that may set a precedent that works in the favor of the Marlins (or not, every situation is unique).

 

It's a domino game, and the piece that falls into place first has to be what happens with the Nationals, both the stadium and the sale (which puts a windfall of cash into the hands of the MLB owners as a group), and the impact that has on relocation possiblilities.

 

Then there's the Angels lawsuit...and Angelos...do the A's move...what happens in the Twin Cities...the list of issues for MLB is endless. The Marlins (although they rank as numbero uno for us fans) is just one of many.

Yep, which makes me think DuPuy hasn't been coming to Miami to help, but to say what's already been said

Facts about stadium proposal

 

What's proposed:

 

A 15-block overhaul of Second Ward. The Florida Marlins are visiting soon to consider the site.

 

How uptown would change:

 

The plan's architect expects 5 million visitors a year.

 

What needs to happen:

 

Private fundraising of more than $600 million, plus a complicated land swap.

 

How likely is this:

 

Republicans and Democrats were enthusiastic Wednesday, but also said the land swap would take some "political maneuvering." Others doubt Charlotte is big enough to support a major-league team.

AP STORY

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. ? (AP) ? A real-estate lawyer and developer have formulated a plan to remake part of downtown Charlotte and lure baseball's Florida Marlins to a 38,000-seat stadium.

 

Developer Jerry Reese said Thursday he has invited Marlins officials to visit Charlotte and view the location where he proposes to build a ballpark. A visit is planned for February or March, he said.

 

Team spokesman P.J. Loyello said Thursday the team does not confirm such visits until the day before they are to happen.

 

Having failed repeatedly in their quest for a baseball-only stadium in South Florida, the Marlins said in

November they would consider relocating once their lease for Dolphins Stadium expires after the 2007 season. Las Vegas and Portland, Ore., are among the contenders for the team.

 

Reese presented his plan to Mecklenburg County commissioners Wednesday and said it would be the centerpiece of a proposed $600 million to $700 million redevelopment.

 

"Availability of this much land in an uptown area of a major urban center is almost never possible,'' Reese said Thursday. "You have a unique set of opportunities.''

 

Since the early 1990s, Charlotte has been listed as a potential site nearly every time a major league team has discussed relocation. But it has been years since city leaders put any real effort into luring a franchise. Most believe the city is better served building a minor league stadium for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, who play in suburban Fort Mill, S.C.

 

Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory did not return a call seeking comment Thursday on Reese's proposal, but the head of the Charlotte Regional Sports Commission, Jeff Beaver, said big league ball is not a priority.

 

"My view hasn't changed,'' Beaver said. "We're just not ready for Major League Baseball.''

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/13659032.htm

 

This is the same city that lost the Hornets. The city couldn't provide 15K+ fans a night for 41 games in an entire year. What makes people think they'll support the Marlins any better?

 

 

 

Because who the f*** cares about the NBA?

I would love if the Marlins had to move that it was to Charlotte(Not very far away from there as well) Also there would certainly be support as NC is a huge baseball state.

I'd get season tickets, and I'm three hours away. Charlotte would pull from the metro area mainly, but for people like me in central/southern VA and those in northern SC it's a much better option than trying to get to DC or Atlanta for National League baseball.

I certainly agree with you on that. I am also in Southern VA(As you can tell at VT) and I would get season tickets as well and I know people that would love to watch some MLB games. Right now the only time I get to see the Marlins in person is either the expo game against the Grasshoppers or in DC against the Nats(but that is over 5 hours away compared to the 2-2:30 to Charlotte)