MIAMI -- Exactly how the Marlins' new ballpark will look -- inside and out -- remains in the developmental stages.

 

With each passing day, the visuals of the building are becoming more of a reality.

 

Marlins president David Samson said the "schematic-design" phase of the retractable-roof ballpark at the Orange Bowl could be completed by the end of August.

 

There are three stages of design for the 37,000-seat stadium that is slated to stand in the Little Havana section of Miami: Schematic design, design development, and finally the construction documents.

 

"Each one takes quite a bit of time," Samson said. "We are on a schedule for the schematic design of the building to be done by the end of August."

 

The design stages shouldn't be confused with the renderings of the building, which already are completed, but they haven't yet been released because of an ongoing lawsuit.

 

The renderings are basically sketches of what the ballpark will look like.

 

"We have renderings ready, and we have packets available for the media, the public and our season-ticket holders and our employees, but we are just being respectful to the judge," Samson said. "We are not releasing them until she rules on the public purpose count."

 

As the process moves along for the ballpark, Samson and a group of representatives from the team will head to Kansas City, Mo., to meet with stadium designers HOK Sport. The visit is expected take place in early September.

 

"Schematic design is literally a picture and designs of every single room in the building," Samson said. "So there is about a 40-page program statement that has every detail in writing. You match that against the actual designs that HOK does."

 

The importance of schematic design is that the stadium's construction manager, Hunt/Moss, can begin their cost estimates, as all sides move toward what is called an IGMP (Initial Guarantee Maximum Price).

 

The Marlins continue to aggressively push forward in stadium design, despite the lingering legal challenge to parts of the funding for the project.

 

A few days ago, Samson met with Miami-Dade County manager George Burgess, and he remains in regular contact with city of Miami mayor Manny Diaz.

 

"Lawsuit or not, we are moving full speed ahead on the design side," Samson said. "The delay still is on the document side. But this past week, I had a long meeting with George Burgess. I continue to speak with Mayor Diaz on a consistent basis and we are beginning to schedule some get-togethers as we move the documents forward."

 

Regarding the lawsuit, Judge Jeri Beth Cohen has yet to issue a ruling on a count to decide whether a baseball stadium serves a public purpose.

 

"We are hoping for that as soon as possible, but we don't have a date," Samson said. "It's our hope that it will happen soon, and we want to be in position to move quickly once that decision comes."

 

The team remains confident they will receive a favorable court ruling.

 

"We have not seen or heard of a stadium that does not serve a public purpose," Samson said. "So we feel very confident that we will prevail, but it's up to the judge."

 

There are a number of examples of how a ballpark serves a public purpose, including, as the team points out, the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Dolphin Stadium, the Marlins current home, was selected as a site for second-round games next year.

 

Projections are that the event will generate $25 million in economic impact to South Florida.

 

"Again, this [the new stadium] is something that is important to the county and the city, because it's something that adds both economically and in so many other ways to the county of Miami-Dade, and really to all of South Florida," Samson said. "First, the economic impact of the building, both during construction and afterwards. And also, an economic impact you can't measure, which is having a Major League Baseball team, and the amount of media exposure you get with having a Major League Baseball team."

 

Dolphin Stadium was selected as a World Baseball Classic site because of the Marlins.

 

"That's going to add a $25 million economic impact right there," Samson said. "That impact would not be around if it were not for the Florida Marlins.

 

"We're working nonstop. We need to get these documents done and this lawsuit behind us so we can move forward with all the exciting things that come with building a stadium."

 

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/articl...sp&c_id=fla

very positive article, thanks for the post.

Very good to hear some positive news regarding the stadium.

I don't understand why the Marlins don't just release the design. Out of respect to the judge? Give me a break.

My guess is that the Judge will wait to make a decision until after her re-election bid on August 26th. Perhaps that is good for the Marlins. If she rules in our favor before her election day, you know the Braman people would do everything in their power to vote her out. So maybe she knows she will rule in our favor but is waiting to ensure she also keeps her job. Just a thought.

that will hurt us if she not put back in her chair

that will hurt us if she not put back in her chair

 

 

that is exactly why we should all go out on august 26 and vote for judge jeri cohen & mayor carlos alvarez...

that will hurt us if she not put back in her chair

 

I'm pretty sure that even if she loses the election, she remains Judge until January, so our case wouldn't be effected. But I guess it can't hurt if she knew that Marlins fans voted for her.

as a matter of law, this case is a slam dunk in favor of the marlins and the local governments. the supreme court previously held that the tampa bay buccaneers' stadium served a public purpose, despite the fact that the bucs has far more control over nearly every aspect of the stadium and had basically a monopoly over its use in comparison to the marlins. if the judge were to rule against the marlins, she would get overturned.

My guess is that the Judge will wait to make a decision until after her re-election bid on August 26th. Perhaps that is good for the Marlins. If she rules in our favor before her election day, you know the Braman people would do everything in their power to vote her out. So maybe she knows she will rule in our favor but is waiting to ensure she also keeps her job. Just a thought.

I think she is just playing it safe.

 

If she rules one way or the other, she would have angry voting blocks against her. If she rules after she is re-elected there will be no harm done whichever way her decision goes.

I don't understand why the Marlins don't just release the design. Out of respect to the judge? Give me a break.

 

"Out of respect to the judge" can be translated to "not wanting to tick anyone off at this point." Makes perfect sense.

that will hurt us if she not put back in her chair

 

 

that is exactly why we should all go out on august 26 and vote for judge jeri cohen & mayor carlos alvarez...

i did my wife too we do it by mail

that will hurt us if she not put back in her chair

 

 

that is exactly why we should all go out on august 26 and vote for judge jeri cohen & mayor carlos alvarez...

i did my wife too we do it by mail

 

that could be interpreted in many ways. lol

Renderings are a good sign. These are to impress the high brass that governs the decision in the end. Hope they used top of the line software for some nice walkthroughs. An important thing to always remember is to keep the preliminary documents at a SD level so to not inquire to the judge that the Marlins have won the battle already. However the fact that these documents are already preparesd means that the Marlins organization will be much ahead of schedule once the court gives us the pass. :cool

With the Norman Braman lawsuit ruling delayed, Marlins president David Samson said a 2011 stadium opening is ``getting less and less realistic.''

 

Miami Herald

so much contradiction round here.

so much contradiction round here.

 

And the contradiction is coming from Samson as well. I thought he hinted that there was nothing to worry about because ground breaking wasn't going to begin until November. The ruling will come before that, or at least I hope. If it does then it should be no problem. That's what I think, at least

so much contradiction round here.

 

And the contradiction is coming from Samson as well. I thought he hinted that there was nothing to worry about because ground breaking wasn't going to begin until November. The ruling will come before that, or at least I hope. If it does then it should be no problem. That's what I think, at least

 

 

Me thinks that with the OB site cleared, they may be shooting to open before opening day in 2011. I mean, if it opens ahead of schedule, you can always stick something in the venue, a concert or something. Anything to start making money and I guess to take a peak as to how the venue works in terms of fan enjoyment.