It is done! all barriers have been surpassed. The final step won't be a problem. Time to break ground

Whoa!

The construction agreement has to be approved.

More imporatntly, before the commission can approve a construction agreement, the Marlins have to be able to reach a construction agreement. Keep in mind that 2 out of the 3 firms asked to place a bid, declined to even consider making a bid. That tells me there may be a money problem.

We'll see.

From the Marlins site:

 

Even with recent legal victories, the stadium plan still must receive final approval from commissioners in the city of Miami and in Miami-Dade County.

 

The team is hopeful to complete the four remaining documents, and have them voted on by commissioners within 30 to 60 days.

 

They've gone too far and invested too much money and time to turn this down. It's pretty much a done deal.

 

The question is whether they will go ahead with the general obligation bonds despite the fact that Braman will file an appeal.

 

I'll let you all know soon.

I have been saying this time and time again, as well as a few other people. The stadium is and always has been a done deal. I warned you before the Braman thing that there would be people to try to bring it down out of desperation and it would not work. I had said for a few months now and yet people continue to say "OH wait its not a done deal... the construction approval... the commission... bla bla bla" If I said it once I have said millions of times. It's a done deal. It will pass, the votes are there already. CALM DOWN!

Waiting for a post from Miamibaseball about how something bad might happen...

I think Miamibaseball sat next to me at yesterdays game. He had a sign with similar writing to his posts (not a criticism, just a fact) and he was telling me how he loved the Marlins. I kept saying "you must be Mr. Miamibaseball" to see if he would comment, but he just kept telling me how long he has been a fan. Even if it wasn't him, nice guy.

Talked to my source today. Because of his position in the city, its hard not to trust what he says. Since the whole Braman thing started, he told me not to worry. I explained to him why I was worried, and he basically predicted this entire thing. He predicted exactly every court decision and around what time they were made. Anyone who thinks they wait for decisions just like we do is naive. Every commissioner knows how they are going to vote already. Certain commissioners held their yes vote for a ransom. Some are going to get what they want, and already have, while others wont. Thats the beauty of these things. You don't need everyone to say yes. You just need to make the minimum requirement of votes.

 

From my source in the city, "Technically, the vote hasn't passed. But in reality it will, because we already have the required amount of votes." I'm not worried at all, and haven't been. He showed me another sneak peak at final renderings. They are the same ones I saw a month ago. The stadium looks great, and I cannot wait until everyone gets to see what I have.

 

I thought the Megaplan was the "ransom" for the stadium.

Waiting for a post from Miamibaseball about how something bad might happen...

I think Miamibaseball sat next to me at yesterdays game. He had a sign with similar writing to his posts (not a criticism, just a fact) and he was telling me how he loved the Marlins. I kept saying "you must be Mr. Miamibaseball" to see if he would comment, but he just kept telling me how long he has been a fan. Even if it wasn't him, nice guy.

only game i want was wed game during last home stand i miss weekend series

can state Supreme Court put ground breaking on hold ??Braman he not going stop fighting after monday ruling

I have been saying this time and time again, as well as a few other people. The stadium is and always has been a done deal. I warned you before the Braman thing that there would be people to try to bring it down out of desperation and it would not work. I had said for a few months now and yet people continue to say "OH wait its not a done deal... the construction approval... the commission... bla bla bla" If I said it once I have said millions of times. It's a done deal. It will pass, the votes are there already. CALM DOWN!

 

I think you're right about the City of Miami Commissioners, but I worry about the County vote.

We need a super-majority of 9 (of the 13) commissioners for the stadium to move forward. If five of them vote "no" we have a problem.

 

Definite "no" votes are: Sorenson, Souto and Gimenez.

Probably "no" vote: Heyman

Threatening to vote "no": Martinez

 

If five vote against it we have no stadium, at least for now.

 

Tell me where I'm wrong.

I have been saying this time and time again, as well as a few other people. The stadium is and always has been a done deal. I warned you before the Braman thing that there would be people to try to bring it down out of desperation and it would not work. I had said for a few months now and yet people continue to say "OH wait its not a done deal... the construction approval... the commission... bla bla bla" If I said it once I have said millions of times. It's a done deal. It will pass, the votes are there already. CALM DOWN!

 

I think you're right about the City of Miami Commissioners, but I worry about the County vote.

We need a super-majority of 9 (of the 13) commissioners for the stadium to move forward. If five of them vote "no" we have a problem.

 

Definite "no" votes are: Sorenson, Souto and Gimenez.

Probably "no" vote: Heyman

Threatening to vote "no": Martinez

 

If five vote against it we have no stadium, at least for now.

 

Tell me where I'm wrong.

 

absolutley...you are correct. though, i think martinez and heyman are leaning towards a "yes" vote. but, that shouldn't stop us from getting involved. shoot them an email supporting the stadium (especially sorenson, souto, gimenez, heyman and martinez). or call them by phone or send them a letter. we must get involved. this is it, for real this time...once this this agreement is voted on and set in stone there is no turning back. this is the last hurdle.

 

here is the link to contact the county commissioners: http://www.miamidade.gov/commiss/

 

use it!

I have been saying this time and time again, as well as a few other people. The stadium is and always has been a done deal. I warned you before the Braman thing that there would be people to try to bring it down out of desperation and it would not work. I had said for a few months now and yet people continue to say "OH wait its not a done deal... the construction approval... the commission... bla bla bla" If I said it once I have said millions of times. It's a done deal. It will pass, the votes are there already. CALM DOWN!

 

I think you're right about the City of Miami Commissioners, but I worry about the County vote.

We need a super-majority of 9 (of the 13) commissioners for the stadium to move forward. If five of them vote "no" we have a problem.

 

Definite "no" votes are: Sorenson, Souto and Gimenez.

Probably "no" vote: Heyman

Threatening to vote "no": Martinez

 

If five vote against it we have no stadium, at least for now.

 

Tell me where I'm wrong.

 

absolutley...you are correct. though, i think martinez and heyman are leaning towards a "yes" vote. but, that shouldn't stop us from getting involved. shoot them an email supporting the stadium (especially sorenson, souto, gimenez, heyman and martinez). or call them by phone or send them a letter. we must get involved. this is it, for real this time...once this this agreement is voted on and set in stone there is no turning back. this is the last hurdle.

 

here is the link to contact the county commissioners: http://www.miamidade.gov/commiss/

 

use it!

OK, since I know Sally, I quicky composed a letter at your urging. I will paste it here and feel free for anyone to use parts of it.

 

Dear Sally,

 

So, an old friend subject line may get a look see, but if the subject matter and logic behind my letter is not valid, I know it means nothing.

 

Basically, I am writing to you for your support to approving the plan for a stadium for the Marlins. My main point here is that in spite of who owns the team, the stadium is for the Marlins for now and the future. The current owners will be long gone but years down the road we will still have a team here that will generate the pride and unyielding passion that the "older" teams in other cities obtain. This happens over years and generations grow. Miami is still a relatively young city and a the Marlins a young franchise. The point is that when you look at the direct link between communities and their teams you can see that the link is not separable. There is no equating a regular business with your home town team. Eventually S. Florida and the Marlins will develop this given the time to finally establish stability for the franchise.

 

No more threats of leaving, of contraction, of being punished by the League (when they took away the all star game). No more daily thunderstorms (or the threat of it), the heat and oppressive humidity. Instead, a comfortable atmosphere to enjoy what truly still is the greatest game in the world.

 

Sally, just look at the outpouring for the team when they won. People who never attend games were honking their horns and screaming Marlins. Look at our current TV viewership, amongst the top ten in all of baseball. People care, it is just that the instability of the organization, the threats etc take their toll on the fan base. If that many people are watching, then it is a community asset just as much as supporting cultural facilities, libraries etc. If we give them a place to go that is made for baseball, then that changes the realities and the perceptions that exist at Dolphin stadium (and Wayne has said that the there is no future for baseball in that facility and the lease will terminate). In all cases, many people do not or can not utilize the availability of facilities in S. Florida, but we still have them because a world class city provides many alternatives to its citizens. Baseball, properly marketed, stable and finally to be considered OUR team for now and the future with a guarantee attached (our new stadium) will be an asset that exceeds most other alternatives.

 

One final note to those who point out attendance-first, our situation is unique in all its weird and tumultuous history but yet trust me when I point out other cities have had similar issues and grew out of them. Not too long ago the hotbeds like Cleveland, Seattle, San Francisco drew poorly. New stadiums, old fashion commitment to the communities saved these teams and each city is better for it.

 

Of course, there are loads of examples because baseball is full of history, more so than any other sport in this country. No one wants to ever lose their team and I must point out that in recent history, while baseball has had little franchise movement, major cities across this country who have lost a sports teams for the same reason, frugality, realized what they lost and ended up spending more to get a new team as well as providing the facility.

 

As a CPA, I understand the numbers game, but I also understand that there is more to a real hometown than just the numbers. While you are obligated to question the viability of such a major megaplan, please do not let the Marlins be caught up in the whole view. You can always delay a tunnel and then decide to build it next year. Lose this vital part of our community and our future, the Marlins, and you cannot get it back.

I have been saying this time and time again, as well as a few other people. The stadium is and always has been a done deal. I warned you before the Braman thing that there would be people to try to bring it down out of desperation and it would not work. I had said for a few months now and yet people continue to say "OH wait its not a done deal... the construction approval... the commission... bla bla bla" If I said it once I have said millions of times. It's a done deal. It will pass, the votes are there already. CALM DOWN!

 

I think you're right about the City of Miami Commissioners, but I worry about the County vote.

We need a super-majority of 9 (of the 13) commissioners for the stadium to move forward. If five of them vote "no" we have a problem.

 

Definite "no" votes are: Sorenson, Souto and Gimenez.

Probably "no" vote: Heyman

Threatening to vote "no": Martinez

 

If five vote against it we have no stadium, at least for now.

 

Tell me where I'm wrong.

 

absolutley...you are correct. though, i think martinez and heyman are leaning towards a "yes" vote. but, that shouldn't stop us from getting involved. shoot them an email supporting the stadium (especially sorenson, souto, gimenez, heyman and martinez). or call them by phone or send them a letter. we must get involved. this is it, for real this time...once this this agreement is voted on and set in stone there is no turning back. this is the last hurdle.

 

here is the link to contact the county commissioners: http://www.miamidade.gov/commiss/

 

use it!

OK, since I know Sally, I quicky composed a letter at your urging. I will paste it here and feel free for anyone to use parts of it.

 

Dear Sally,

 

So, an old friend subject line may get a look see, but if the subject matter and logic behind my letter is not valid, I know it means nothing.

 

Basically, I am writing to you for your support to approving the plan for a stadium for the Marlins. My main point here is that in spite of who owns the team, the stadium is for the Marlins for now and the future. The current owners will be long gone but years down the road we will still have a team here that will generate the pride and unyielding passion that the "older" teams in other cities obtain. This happens over years and generations grow. Miami is still a relatively young city and a the Marlins a young franchise. The point is that when you look at the direct link between communities and their teams you can see that the link is not separable. There is no equating a regular business with your home town team. Eventually S. Florida and the Marlins will develop this given the time to finally establish stability for the franchise.

 

No more threats of leaving, of contraction, of being punished by the League (when they took away the all star game). No more daily thunderstorms (or the threat of it), the heat and oppressive humidity. Instead, a comfortable atmosphere to enjoy what truly still is the greatest game in the world.

 

Sally, just look at the outpouring for the team when they won. People who never attend games were honking their horns and screaming Marlins. Look at our current TV viewership, amongst the top ten in all of baseball. People care, it is just that the instability of the organization, the threats etc take their toll on the fan base. If that many people are watching, then it is a community asset just as much as supporting cultural facilities, libraries etc. If we give them a place to go that is made for baseball, then that changes the realities and the perceptions that exist at Dolphin stadium (and Wayne has said that the there is no future for baseball in that facility and the lease will terminate). In all cases, many people do not or can not utilize the availability of facilities in S. Florida, but we still have them because a world class city provides many alternatives to its citizens. Baseball, properly marketed, stable and finally to be considered OUR team for now and the future with a guarantee attached (our new stadium) will be an asset that exceeds most other alternatives.

 

One final note to those who point out attendance-first, our situation is unique in all its weird and tumultuous history but yet trust me when I point out other cities have had similar issues and grew out of them. Not too long ago the hotbeds like Cleveland, Seattle, San Francisco drew poorly. New stadiums, old fashion commitment to the communities saved these teams and each city is better for it.

 

Of course, there are loads of examples because baseball is full of history, more so than any other sport in this country. No one wants to ever lose their team and I must point out that in recent history, while baseball has had little franchise movement, major cities across this country who have lost a sports teams for the same reason, frugality, realized what they lost and ended up spending more to get a new team as well as providing the facility.

 

As a CPA, I understand the numbers game, but I also understand that there is more to a real hometown than just the numbers. While you are obligated to question the viability of such a major megaplan, please do not let the Marlins be caught up in the whole view. You can always delay a tunnel and then decide to build it next year. Lose this vital part of our community and our future, the Marlins, and you cannot get it back.

 

 

 

wow...lol...that is excellent!