http://www.local10.com/news/11144134/detail.html

 

 

 

New Marlins Stadium 'Looking As Good As It Ever Has'

 

POSTED: 9:38 am EST March 1, 2007

 

MIAMI -- For the past five years, the Florida Marlins have tried to get the state Legislature to help fund a new stadium but have struck out every time. Now, there's a new stadium plan in place that just might get the go-ahead.

 

State Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R-Miami, is the main sponsor of the Marlins stadium bill in the House, where the leadership is finally inclined to make a sizable contribution -- about $30 million.

 

"I think it's looking as good as it ever has," he told Local 10's Michael Putney on Wednesday.

 

That's in part because of the fact that first-year Gov. Charlie Crist has said if a new deal is structured to his liking, he could support it when the legislative session begins.

 

"Well, that never hurts," Lopez-Cantera said.

 

The proposed stadium would be shoehorned into a 9-acre site bordered by Northwest Third Street to the north, Miami Police Department headquarters and Interstate 95 to the west, a metrorail track to the east and the government center to the south.

 

If the stadium were built at the proposed site, some things would have to go, including a city park where home plate likely would be and a child-care center. That didn't sit too well with two of the child-care center employees when told of the news.

 

Nor did it sit well with one lawmaker who questions why taxpayers' dollars would go towards a $490 million stadium when public works projects like storm sewers and lift stations or meals for the elderly might be sacrificed because of falling sales tax revenues.

 

"We're talking about property taxes and we're talking about insurance, and here we're not funding things that will help protect those homes," state Rep. Ronald Brise, D-Miami, said. "And then when you compare that to a stadium, I think we're dealing with apples and caviar."

 

At least one obstacle to the proposed stadium site has been solved. Chief Judge Joe Farina told Putney an alternative site has been found for a children's courthouse, which is supposed to be built where the stadium might end up.

 

The proposed stadium would be shoehorned into a 9-acre site bordered by Northwest Third Street to the north, Miami Police Department headquarters and Interstate 95 to the west, a metrorail track to the east and the government center to the south.

 

I don't think that is correct. I thought that the site comprises the block to the south of NW 3rd AND the block to the north of NW 3rd. Unless the plan is to use THAT block as a staging area for construction. They could, theoretically, use the open area just west of NW 2nd Ave. as a staging area as well.

 

IDK, this seems to be an even tighter site than I originally thought.

If the details in the story are correct, the stadium is going to be a reeeeaaaaaaaaaalllllllllyyyyyyyyy tight fit there. AT&T park in San Francisco is relatively small and it sits on 13.5 acres of land. Personally I don't think it fits....

Good to know that the issue of the children's courthouse location has been worked out.

Good to know that the issue of the children's courthouse location has been worked out.

 

Ya I thought that might slow things down but they found it very quickly.

Good to know that the issue of the children's courthouse location has been worked out.

 

Ya I thought that might slow things down but they found it very quickly.

I actually can't believe they were going to build this thing in the first place. They said the proposed courthouse would have something like 28 individual court rooms. That is roughly the same number as the Miami-Dade county courthouse, and that thing is a renovated prison from the 20s. I'm all for kid's justice, but I think the kids would rather have the marlins stadium :mischief

Good to know that the issue of the children's courthouse location has been worked out.

 

biggest news of the day

Does anyone know how many miles or tenths of a mile this location would be from I-95?

 

Which exit would those who are coming from Broward take?

Does anyone know how many miles or tenths of a mile this location would be from I-95?

 

Which exit would those who are coming from Broward take?

 

Your first question would be 0.0 miles from I-95. The western boundary of the parcels/property is I-95.

 

As for your second question, there are more than two ways to skin that cat if you plan on driving down from the north:

 

(1) Take I-95 south to Exit 3b (NW 8 Street -- it will say "Arenas/Port of Miami"). Go east (left) on NW 8 Street to NW 1 Avenue/Arena Blvd. and you're going to be right in front of the old Miami Arena, then start looking for parking driving around Downtown, the ballpark will be between NW 1 Ave and NW 2 Ave, as well as between NW 4 Street and NW 2 Street.

 

(2) Or come up the backside by taking I-95 south to Exit 1b (Miami Ave/Biscayne Boulevard). That is an off-ramp that will put you right at SE 1 Avenue. Go north (left) on SE 1 Ave and start looking for parking in and around Downtown. If you park near a Metromover station you can hop on that (it's free) right to the Government Center Metrorail/Metromover station which will be attached to the ballpark. It may be wise to park at the Knight Center/International Trade Center (the old Centrust Building which is lit up at night in different colors) and get on the Metromover there.

 

To illustrate the options: Route (1) is in RED. Route (2) is in BLUE. The ballpark is the GREEN box:

 

 

 

By the way, that Channel 10 illustration is wrong because the County's own memo states the boundaries:

 

The general boundaries of the site are Government Center on the south and west, the MetroRail line on the east, the State Division of Natural Resources buildings and the Miami Police Department Headquarters on the north, and the Downtown Center Charter School and Hickman Building on the west.

 

The little snipet that was in the memo that I found interesting is the fact that the property is located within the Government Center Development of Regional Impact (DRI), which means that the stadium may be able to undergo a more expedited review at the State level because it will go in as an "Notice of Proposed Change" (NOPC) instead of a new DRI. The DRI process takes around one year to complete and requires a review by the Department of Community Affairs, Department of Environmental Protection, the Administration Commission, as well as the South Florida Regional Planning Council and other regional entities (SFWMD). All that is in addition to the reviews by the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County.

 

But that's just food for thought.

I have re-read the memo Miami-Dade sent out from yesterday. Right towards the bottom of the third page, they mentioned that the Children's Courthouse was to be built on the north side of NW 3rd St., which would suggest to me that that portion would be included for the ballpark. So why would Local 10 say that NW 3rd St. is the northern boundary I have no idea.

 

Perhaps (and it's a speculation of mine) they need that section to stage the construction or to built a platform for a moving roof and the main building itself right south of NW 3rd St..

 

Another question (and it's not really my business, as I don't live in the area) is why the county/city would be willing to give away that little park section? Perhaps for the free views that would be afforded?

 

:mischief2

Location is very prime, being near the Arena, and just off 95. Hell, it's a 10 minute drive from my mom's house and if it wasn't I'd still travel.

When does the legislation hearing begin?

On weekend nights (say a Friday), when they have a play at the performing arts center, a concert/heat game at the AAA, AND a marlins game, the traffic is going to be REAL bad on 95. Not complaining here (I probably have less drive than many of you), but just saying. Exits 1 and 3 off 95 south are going to be TIGHT. Let's hope we get some group scheduling going...

On weekend nights (say a Friday), when they have a play at the performing arts center, a concert/heat game at the AAA, AND a marlins game, the traffic is going to be REAL bad on 95. Not complaining here (I probably have less drive than many of you), but just saying. Exits 1 and 3 off 95 south are going to be TIGHT. Let's hope we get some group scheduling going...

 

Well the heat issue only happens in April (longer with playoffs). I am sure they will try and schedule it on different dates. All the stadiums and arenas in Philly are in the same place and they do a good job juggling the schedules (of 5 teams and 4 venues). I dont think it will be that difficult.

On weekend nights (say a Friday), when they have a play at the performing arts center, a concert/heat game at the AAA, AND a marlins game, the traffic is going to be REAL bad on 95. Not complaining here (I probably have less drive than many of you), but just saying. Exits 1 and 3 off 95 south are going to be TIGHT. Let's hope we get some group scheduling going...

 

Does blow that old excuse of "but the traffic flow" right out the door. Never did buy into that one.

On weekend nights (say a Friday), when they have a play at the performing arts center, a concert/heat game at the AAA, AND a marlins game, the traffic is going to be REAL bad on 95. Not complaining here (I probably have less drive than many of you), but just saying. Exits 1 and 3 off 95 south are going to be TIGHT. Let's hope we get some group scheduling going...

 

Does blow that old excuse of "but the traffic flow" right out the door. Never did buy into that one.

 

With the Heat, let's hope they go deep enough into the playoffs to affect 3-4 games. Don't know how many opera's will affect the traffic at the PAC. With the constant threat of the Marlins leaving, I can't worry about a handful of events affecting traffic. Get the stadium and guarantee baseball for decades to come. Ever go to a game at new Turner Field. There are no other facitlities and the traffice, especially leaving is a mess. I am sure it is like that in many other places.

 

Leave earlier if you can or try getting off at 36th st and Biscayne by going east off of I-95 towards the Julia Tuttle and come south on Biscayne Blvd or one of the parallel roads just west of the Boulevard. But c'mon guys, now you don't want a stadium because the traffice MAY be bad a few nights during the season. Geez.

On weekend nights (say a Friday), when they have a play at the performing arts center, a concert/heat game at the AAA, AND a marlins game, the traffic is going to be REAL bad on 95. Not complaining here (I probably have less drive than many of you), but just saying. Exits 1 and 3 off 95 south are going to be TIGHT. Let's hope we get some group scheduling going...

 

Does blow that old excuse of "but the traffic flow" right out the door. Never did buy into that one.

 

With the Heat, let's hope they go deep enough into the playoffs to affect 3-4 games. Don't know how many opera's will affect the traffic at the PAC. With the constant threat of the Marlins leaving, I can't worry about a handful of events affecting traffic. Get the stadium and guarantee baseball for decades to come. Ever go to a game at new Turner Field. There are no other facitlities and the traffice, especially leaving is a mess. I am sure it is like that in many other places.

 

Leave earlier if you can or try getting off at 36th st and Biscayne by going east off of I-95 towards the Julia Tuttle and come south on Biscayne Blvd or one of the parallel roads just west of the Boulevard. But c'mon guys, now you don't want a stadium because the traffice MAY be bad a few nights during the season. Geez.

 

 

 

 

I've actually been to Turner Field about a dozen times and if you park in the big lot (where the old stadium was) and you leave immediately after the last out is recorded, it's not bad getting out of there. The on-ramp to 75/85 is right behind that parking lot.

 

 

Now if you park far from the stadium, yeah, it's a nightmare.

 

 

FWIW.

 

 

I say, build the freakin stadium and we'll figure out the other stuff later.

On weekend nights (say a Friday), when they have a play at the performing arts center, a concert/heat game at the AAA, AND a marlins game, the traffic is going to be REAL bad on 95. Not complaining here (I probably have less drive than many of you), but just saying. Exits 1 and 3 off 95 south are going to be TIGHT. Let's hope we get some group scheduling going...

 

Does blow that old excuse of "but the traffic flow" right out the door. Never did buy into that one.

 

With the Heat, let's hope they go deep enough into the playoffs to affect 3-4 games. Don't know how many opera's will affect the traffic at the PAC. With the constant threat of the Marlins leaving, I can't worry about a handful of events affecting traffic. Get the stadium and guarantee baseball for decades to come. Ever go to a game at new Turner Field. There are no other facitlities and the traffice, especially leaving is a mess. I am sure it is like that in many other places.

 

Leave earlier if you can or try getting off at 36th st and Biscayne by going east off of I-95 towards the Julia Tuttle and come south on Biscayne Blvd or one of the parallel roads just west of the Boulevard. But c'mon guys, now you don't want a stadium because the traffice MAY be bad a few nights during the season. Geez.

The opera season runs from October (maybe November?) to April and the seating capacity at the PAC cannot be more than 3k so conflicts with the opera would happen maybe a couple of times a year and the imapct of those conflicts on traffic would be minimal. The PAC will have other stuff throughout the year but i doubt those other events would draw as wwell as the opera which would further minimize their impact on traffic.

 

It's very rare for the Heat and Marlins to have home games on the same night.

On weekend nights (say a Friday), when they have a play at the performing arts center, a concert/heat game at the AAA, AND a marlins game, the traffic is going to be REAL bad on 95. Not complaining here (I probably have less drive than many of you), but just saying. Exits 1 and 3 off 95 south are going to be TIGHT. Let's hope we get some group scheduling going...

 

Does blow that old excuse of "but the traffic flow" right out the door. Never did buy into that one.

 

With the Heat, let's hope they go deep enough into the playoffs to affect 3-4 games. Don't know how many opera's will affect the traffic at the PAC. With the constant threat of the Marlins leaving, I can't worry about a handful of events affecting traffic. Get the stadium and guarantee baseball for decades to come. Ever go to a game at new Turner Field. There are no other facitlities and the traffice, especially leaving is a mess. I am sure it is like that in many other places.

 

Leave earlier if you can or try getting off at 36th st and Biscayne by going east off of I-95 towards the Julia Tuttle and come south on Biscayne Blvd or one of the parallel roads just west of the Boulevard. But c'mon guys, now you don't want a stadium because the traffice MAY be bad a few nights during the season. Geez.

The opera season runs from October (maybe November?) to April and the seating capacity at the PAC cannot be more than 3k so conflicts with the opera would happen maybe a couple of times a year and the imapct of those conflicts on traffic would be minimal. The PAC will have other stuff throughout the year but i doubt those other events would draw as wwell as the opera which would further minimize their impact on traffic.

 

It's very rare for the Heat and Marlins to have home games on the same night.

It's not just opera at the PAC, or the Heat games at the AAA. Those venues are used year round for concerts, plays, etc. All of these venues will be within a few miles of each other, and there are only two exits from 95 that you could use to reach either one. I'm not complaining here...I WANT the stadium built exactly where they are planning. Hell, I wanted the stadium to be built in bayfront park, which would have made this situation worse (can you imagine the marlins, AAA, AND the PAC sharing the same parking??). I'm just saying this is going to be a problem. And, I hope they explore as many ways as possible to limit this issue, including group scheduling with the PAC and AAA, as well as looking into scheduling earlier games on days with obvious conflicts.

On weekend nights (say a Friday), when they have a play at the performing arts center, a concert/heat game at the AAA, AND a marlins game, the traffic is going to be REAL bad on 95. Not complaining here (I probably have less drive than many of you), but just saying. Exits 1 and 3 off 95 south are going to be TIGHT. Let's hope we get some group scheduling going...

 

Does blow that old excuse of "but the traffic flow" right out the door. Never did buy into that one.

 

With the Heat, let's hope they go deep enough into the playoffs to affect 3-4 games. Don't know how many opera's will affect the traffic at the PAC. With the constant threat of the Marlins leaving, I can't worry about a handful of events affecting traffic. Get the stadium and guarantee baseball for decades to come. Ever go to a game at new Turner Field. There are no other facitlities and the traffice, especially leaving is a mess. I am sure it is like that in many other places.

 

Leave earlier if you can or try getting off at 36th st and Biscayne by going east off of I-95 towards the Julia Tuttle and come south on Biscayne Blvd or one of the parallel roads just west of the Boulevard. But c'mon guys, now you don't want a stadium because the traffice MAY be bad a few nights during the season. Geez.

The opera season runs from October (maybe November?) to April and the seating capacity at the PAC cannot be more than 3k so conflicts with the opera would happen maybe a couple of times a year and the imapct of those conflicts on traffic would be minimal. The PAC will have other stuff throughout the year but i doubt those other events would draw as wwell as the opera which would further minimize their impact on traffic.

 

It's very rare for the Heat and Marlins to have home games on the same night.

It's not just opera at the PAC, or the Heat games at the AAA. Those venues are used year round for concerts, plays, etc. All of these venues will be within a few miles of each other, and there are only two exits from 95 that you could use to reach either one. I'm not complaining here...I WANT the stadium built exactly where they are planning. Hell, I wanted the stadium to be built in bayfront park, which would have made this situation worse (can you imagine the marlins, AAA, AND the PAC sharing the same parking??). I'm just saying this is going to be a problem. And, I hope they explore as many ways as possible to limit this issue, including group scheduling with the PAC and AAA, as well as looking into scheduling earlier games on days with obvious conflicts.

 

 

I dont think it will be that big of an issue at all. Go back to the philly example I gave earlier. You have the football stadium, baseball stadium, wachovia center and wachovia spectrum in the same complex. The phillies, eagles, flyers, 76ers, Phantoms, sometimes villanova, and what ever the indoor lacrosse team play games there year round. They also have concerts and other events. If they can coordinate things than I am sure this wont be an issue.

Congratulations on what appears to be a major step forward toward your new stadium. I went to a few games at (then) Joe Robbie back in 1993 before I left Miami for DC, and I never thought that it was a good stadium for baseball. You guys deserve a real ballpark. We went through a terrible time up here as the DC city council and MLB went at each other like a snake and a mongoose as they worked out the stadium deal, and the city breathed a collective sigh of relief when things were finally settled. The new stadium is halfway finished at this point, and well on its way to being ready for the opener next year. I look forward to the Marlins getting a new park soon, as well.

On weekend nights (say a Friday), when they have a play at the performing arts center, a concert/heat game at the AAA, AND a marlins game, the traffic is going to be REAL bad on 95. Not complaining here (I probably have less drive than many of you), but just saying. Exits 1 and 3 off 95 south are going to be TIGHT. Let's hope we get some group scheduling going...

 

Does blow that old excuse of "but the traffic flow" right out the door. Never did buy into that one.

 

With the Heat, let's hope they go deep enough into the playoffs to affect 3-4 games. Don't know how many opera's will affect the traffic at the PAC. With the constant threat of the Marlins leaving, I can't worry about a handful of events affecting traffic. Get the stadium and guarantee baseball for decades to come. Ever go to a game at new Turner Field. There are no other facitlities and the traffice, especially leaving is a mess. I am sure it is like that in many other places.

 

Leave earlier if you can or try getting off at 36th st and Biscayne by going east off of I-95 towards the Julia Tuttle and come south on Biscayne Blvd or one of the parallel roads just west of the Boulevard. But c'mon guys, now you don't want a stadium because the traffice MAY be bad a few nights during the season. Geez.

 

Never said I didn't want it. Actually said I would have to deal with the location even tho we would have to give up our season tix. And I reserve the right to continually complain about being 2 of the 5K full season ticket holders that won't be able to continue. Not to mention the parking, or lack of. But at least they stay.

However, we have been discussing ways to still keep our seats. Like finding someone that would want to split with us. Take the week night games off our hands and we keep the week end games and Opening Day. If they give us "comparable seating" in the new pond this wouldn't be a bad idea for someone. RCF, Row 1, Seats 1 and 2 have got to be appealing for someone.

On weekend nights (say a Friday), when they have a play at the performing arts center, a concert/heat game at the AAA, AND a marlins game, the traffic is going to be REAL bad on 95. Not complaining here (I probably have less drive than many of you), but just saying. Exits 1 and 3 off 95 south are going to be TIGHT. Let's hope we get some group scheduling going...

 

Does blow that old excuse of "but the traffic flow" right out the door. Never did buy into that one.

 

With the Heat, let's hope they go deep enough into the playoffs to affect 3-4 games. Don't know how many opera's will affect the traffic at the PAC. With the constant threat of the Marlins leaving, I can't worry about a handful of events affecting traffic. Get the stadium and guarantee baseball for decades to come. Ever go to a game at new Turner Field. There are no other facitlities and the traffice, especially leaving is a mess. I am sure it is like that in many other places.

 

Leave earlier if you can or try getting off at 36th st and Biscayne by going east off of I-95 towards the Julia Tuttle and come south on Biscayne Blvd or one of the parallel roads just west of the Boulevard. But c'mon guys, now you don't want a stadium because the traffice MAY be bad a few nights during the season. Geez.

 

Never said I didn't want it. Actually said I would have to deal with the location even tho we would have to give up our season tix. And I reserve the right to continually complain about being 2 of the 5K full season ticket holders that won't be able to continue. Not to mention the parking, or lack of. But at least they stay.

However, we have been discussing ways to still keep our seats. Like finding someone that would want to split with us. Take the week night games off our hands and we keep the week end games and Opening Day. If they give us "comparable seating" in the new pond this wouldn't be a bad idea for someone. RCF, Row 1, Seats 1 and 2 have got to be appealing for someone.

 

Really don't think anyone who wants a stadium is being picky about where. Just some of the issues just cant be worried about. It is expected that the relative costs to go to the games will go up. I fully expect, with a price increase, the elimination of many plans for the casual fan. Meaning, more tickets will be offerred in full or half season packages. Flex plans etc may be significantly limited, as the hope for greater demand increases. Oh well.

if that case i will be watch all game on tv i cannot be paying like 20 dollar for parking in downtown and another 20 to 30 dollar for ticket plus food that will cost 10 dollar up i live on monthly check from gov

On weekend nights (say a Friday), when they have a play at the performing arts center, a concert/heat game at the AAA, AND a marlins game, the traffic is going to be REAL bad on 95. Not complaining here (I probably have less drive than many of you), but just saying. Exits 1 and 3 off 95 south are going to be TIGHT. Let's hope we get some group scheduling going...

I said this is in a previous thread. AAA traffic + stadium traffic + performing arts center traffic is going to be hell on Earth.

On weekend nights (say a Friday), when they have a play at the performing arts center, a concert/heat game at the AAA, AND a marlins game, the traffic is going to be REAL bad on 95. Not complaining here (I probably have less drive than many of you), but just saying. Exits 1 and 3 off 95 south are going to be TIGHT. Let's hope we get some group scheduling going...

I said this is in a previous thread. AAA traffic + stadium traffic + performing arts center traffic is going to be hell on Earth.

 

Having a new baseball stadium, retractable roof, great sight lines, guaranteed Marlins baseball for many years, state of the art facilites-heaven on earth.