Marlins Stadium Could Cost Millions More Than Estimate WTVJ-TV

Updated: 5:54 p.m. ET Dec. 18, 20035:43 p.m. EST December 18, 2003 - The Florida Marlins dream of a new baseball stadium may have been thrown a curveball Thursday, even as city officials offer some good news for local baseball fans on a possible new home for the team.

 

NBC 6 learned Thursday that at least one local government official believes a new ballpark can't be built without millions of dollars of taxpayer money, and that the cost of a new facility may have been grossly understated.

 

In the glow of the World Series championship, there were a lot of promises made about a new stadium by the team and some local politicians. All said the new all-baseball facility for the Marlins wouldn't cost taxpayers a penny. But now experts are analyzing the true cost and coming to a very different conclusion.

 

On Thursday, the Miami City Commission said it wants the county to schedule a March referendum to ask voters to approve a half-cent sales tax in order to raise up to $250 million for the new ball park, to be added to the estimated $325 million cost originally estimated by the team.

 

"The $325 million is not the real number," Miami City Manager Joe Arriola said.

 

Discuss the proposed stadium

 

Arriola said he is figuring out the real cost along with County Manager George Burgess. The two men -- both veteran number crunchers -- say land acquisition costs were left out of the original estimates and that when added they greatly increase the total price tag

 

"The real number is around $450 million," Arriola said, adding, "At least 450 million. We have had people say that estimate might be short."

 

According to Arriola, the Marlins will be told they must also pay more for a new stadium and that the $137 million the team pledged in October is not enough.

 

The Marlins will be asked to contribute at least $150 million, NBC 6 has learned, and the money will have to be guaranteed by an outside party, because the team reportedly isn't strong enough financially to handle the cost on its own.

 

"It would have to be guaranteed by someone a lot more substantial than the Miami Marlins," said Arriola, referring to the new name the team will have once a new facility is built for them in Miami. "We are looking for at least Major League Baseball to guarantee this."

 

And Arriola added, "We are demanding that. We don't want a white elephant 10 years from now."

 

Asked if the stadium issue is "dead" without the guarantee, Arriola said, "As far as the city of Miami is concerned."

 

And he added that paying for a stadium is getting very complicated for all of the parties.

 

"It is a very tough sell," Arriola said. "We need to go to the public and tell them exactly what the truth is. And the truth is, (that) to do a turnkey operation, a stadium is at least $450 million."

 

NBC 6 has also learned that a new downtown location is being considered for the proposed new baseball stadium in addition to the Orange Bowl and the old Miami Arena.

 

The new, bayside location is located near the Omni complex, in the Pace Park area off Biscayne Boulevard.

A stadium would require about 15 acres, and city officials told NBC 6 the new site has emerged as the prime location under consideration.

 

"That area will be a great location for a stadium," Arriola said. "A lot of the property there is available and affordable. Obviously this is one of the reasons we would need a half-penny tax."

 

Arriola and Burgess are spearheading work on the stadium finance plan.

 

Arriola said the cost of a new ballpark will be a tough sell for taxpayers, but that since Marlins fans have indicated they want it built, they should know the truth about what it's going to cost and how much they'll have to pay for it.

 

The commission earlier approved the use of $73 million in previosly allocated tourism tax money for the new stadium.

 

Reported by NBC 6 Senior Correspondent Ike Seamans.

 

:mischief2 Why does nobody believe the estimate? It was made by people who know what they are talking about. At least we learned the city is considering a new prime site (highlighted in bold).

The stadium will get built for the money the Marlins suspected because they'll be supervising construction, like the Brewers did with their new park. When a team supervises production, costs are usually kept where the team wants them .

The stadium will get built for the money the Marlins suspected because they'll be supervising construction, like the Brewers did with their new park. When a team supervises production, costs are usually kept where the team wants them .

Exactly, but in Miami, nobody trusts projects like this. The Marlins a doing the building, not the county or the city. Corruption is showing what it does to public trust in costs, at least people agree the park is needed.

hmm, After reading I don't feel too good about this now.

 

Welcome to the Banana Republic!

My god, they already tax everything in Dade County and the city, what about another cent? lol

Isn't the extra cost the cost to get the land ready?

Extra cost is what many think would go into the politicos pockets like the Arenas and other "projects" but since the Malrins are overseeing it, there is no dollars for the politicos to steal since it will be done by the money strapped Marlins.

The reason that estimate is being thrown out now is that Arriola (city manager) is saying there are NO plans to donate the land for a stadium. that could cost at least 100 million.

 

$$$$$

 

interesting about the Omni site though.

That new site would rock. We shall see, I believe it when I see it

That new site would rock. We shall see, I believe it when I see it

it would be nice to cut about ooooohhhh, i dont know, 30 MINUTES off my drive

Why do they even freaking care if there will be cost overruns?! The December agreement already stated that any cost over runs would have to be covered by the Marlins.

My god, they already tax everything in Dade County and the city, what about another cent? lol

What's the tax in Dade County? 7.5 or 8?

7

one thing i distinctly remember from the original proposal was the Marlins saying that they would be responsible over any overrun costs. So what the hell does this guy care? he sure seems like an a**hole to me.

Don King Stadium Anyone?

If I heard correctly on the radio, they said if the 1/2 cent sales tax were approved, it would only be for 18 months. That could raise the needed money and then the sales tax would go back to normal.

7

meh... 7 aian't nothing.

It has been stated from the beginning that the $325M estimate was for the stadium construction only and did not include the land. It was also expected that the city of Miami would donate the land once the location was settled. Seems like Ariola is backing away from a land donation. The Marlins have also stated they would pay for any cost overruns, so the risk to the City of Miami is nil.

 

Somebody tell Ariola to quit politicking, and get the deal done!!

The joke of this is that the City of Miami is barking demands yet they are contributing nothing. I repeat nothing!!!! They will not donate the land and the .5 cent tax is on dade county.

 

I have some inside info (sort of) regarding the stadium design. The reason the Marlin estimate is on the low side is because they are not planning on air conditioning the new stadium. This was discussed a while back when the design was being talked about with Hennry's ownership group and I think Loria's people like it as well. It will have a roof but not be air conditioned. That saves some serious coin probably. I think it is a great idea. By the bay there will be a nice breeze and during the day you will be in the shade. The stadium will have open areas on the sides and the roof will be retractable. There were studies done of the temperature in downtiown Miami during the summer evenings. If you have ever watched a baseball or football game indoors you will appreciate this concept. This is not fact just my opinion based on some info I have heard over the last few years about the design.

The joke of this is that the City of Miami is barking demands yet they are contributing nothing.

Miami-Dade County by itself is a joke.

In addition the original estimate was based on a cost without the land, as stated above. The team thought the city could at least donate the land. ( that is why the old arena site was being discussed.... the city owns that land already) Governor Bush already stated he was willing to contribute money if it was a reasonable amount. If I recall he stated that every professional sports stadium in the state had received some money from the state. I think the thought was to give the team a tax rebate on the tax that is collected at the stadium and this would be about $50 million. 50 +137+73+260 almost there?????

Don King Stadium Anyone?

It will happened if the Miami Politicos commit a "Pudge."

"Miami-Dade County by itself is a joke. "

 

As much as that statement can't be disputed i don't think you understood my point. At least the county is stepping up with $73 million. They deserve a say in the matter. The city should have no say if they are not giving any money or land. The only way they are involved is with Zoning and permits. The city of Miami will benefit a ton if a ballpark is built in Downtown.

Don King Stadium Anyone?

pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease no

"Miami-Dade County by itself is a joke. "

 

As much as that statement can't be disputed i don't think you understood my point. At least the county is stepping up with $73 million. They deserve a say in the matter. The city should have no say if they are not giving any money or land. The only way they are involved is with Zoning and permits. The city of Miami will benefit a ton if a ballpark is built in Downtown.

I understood your point. What I meant is that Miami-Dade politicos will find a way to screw this up like they usually do. One of the reasons why the city of Miami is broke.