I was looking at retractable roof stadiums at Ballparks.com which list the cost of the stadiums. Minute Maid Park in Houston only cost 250 million for a retractable roof and that includes seating of 42,000. I know real estate may be a huge issue for the marlins but a retractable roof wouldnt be out of the question at 300 mil. So it will be interesting to see what happens

I never really looked AT the park before. Thanks.

 

For $300 million that is one terrific build. The architects whoever they are did a terrific job. 25 acres. impressive.

Yea, and the roof is already growing mold on it. No thanks.

Yea, and the roof is already growing mold on it. No thanks.

 

Now that they've cleaned the roof what's going to be your next complaint about the field or the Marlins building a domed stadium?

 

In the end the roof membrane manufacturer paid to clean it, didn't cost the taxpayers. These things happen. If the Marlins could build the equivalent for $325 million all of South Florida would be the better for it.

Yea, and the roof is already growing mold on it. No thanks.

 

Now that they've cleaned the roof what's going to be your next complaint about the field or the Marlins building a domed stadium?

 

In the end the roof membrane manufacturer paid to clean it, didn't cost the taxpayers. These things happen. If the Marlins could build the equivalent for $325 million all of South Florida would be the better for it. And where would this magical stadium go?

Yea, and the roof is already growing mold on it. No thanks.

 

Now that they've cleaned the roof what's going to be your next complaint about the field or the Marlins building a domed stadium?

 

In the end the roof membrane manufacturer paid to clean it, didn't cost the taxpayers. These things happen. If the Marlins could build the equivalent for $325 million all of South Florida would be the better for it. And where would this magical stadium go?

Magical? You must still be watching Barney with your blankie

Actually, siting 50-75-100 acres, if the highway access was there or nearby, is not an insurmountable problem either in northern Dade or southern Broward. At $75-100,000 an acre you are looking at less than $10,000,000 (ten million) in land acquisition costs. Even at twice the price, if you had 100 acres and could provide surface parking (as opposed to garage construction) $20 million in land costs wouldn't be outrageous.

Yea, and the roof is already growing mold on it. No thanks.

that is due largely to the houston climate itself.

Yea, and the roof is already growing mold on it. No thanks.

 

Now that they've cleaned the roof what's going to be your next complaint about the field or the Marlins building a domed stadium?

 

In the end the roof membrane manufacturer paid to clean it, didn't cost the taxpayers. These things happen. If the Marlins could build the equivalent for $325 million all of South Florida would be the better for it. And where would this magical stadium go? Just an observation, but pretty much the only thing holding up the Marlins from accepting the OB site is the roof, and the only reason that isn't included is that the two sides can't seem to agree on how much it would cost. If the Marlins can build a facility similar to Minute Maid at a comparable cost, I'm sure that the "magical" stadium will be on the OB land...

The problems with the OB site are more than just a roof. There's access, which is just awful, and parking which is nonexistent. Without parking revenue the team can't be competitive. Then of course there's the naming rights, the concessions...the list goes on.

The Astros ballpark is similar to the OB with the highway and arena nearby. Parking is also limited to garages in the area.

The Astros ballpark is similar to the OB with the highway and arena nearby. Parking is also limited to garages in the area.

 

Cape, I was in Spring Gardens yesterday so I hopped over the bridge and visited the OB site. I'm telling you there is no place to park with a ballpark in place except on privately-controlled lots and in people's yards. As for highway access, there isn't any. Not from 95 nor from 836. In both cases you have to use city streets, two or four lanes, but none capable of handling the traffic for a ballgame.

 

I wish it wasn't so. But it is.

The Astros ballpark is similar to the OB with the highway and arena nearby. Parking is also limited to garages in the area.

As it relates to Houston....

 

Fat-Ass Goldberg had the President of the Greater Houston Sports Development Committee on a couple of days ago. The comparisons in cost between MM park and the situation in Miami was discussed....

 

The main point made was that costs associated with building sporting venues like MM, etc are subject to a far greater rate of inflation. He said that if Houston had to build MM all over again today the costs would be in the $450mil neighborhood due to inflation.

 

So the comparisons in cost some are making aren't exactly accurate. If this were the case and inflation wasn't an issue we could go buy Alaska for 12 million and build the damn park there.

The Astros ballpark is similar to the OB with the highway and arena nearby. Parking is also limited to garages in the area.

As it relates to Houston....

 

Fat-Ass Goldberg had the President of the Greater Houston Sports Development Committee on a couple of days ago. The comparisons in cost between MM park and the situation in Miami was discussed....

 

The main point made was that costs associated with building sporting venues like MM, etc are subject to a far greater rate of inflation. He said that if Houston had to build MM all over again today the costs would be in the $450mil neighborhood due to inflation.

 

So the comparisons in cost some are making aren't exactly accurate. If this were the case and inflation wasn't an issue we could go buy Alaska for 12 million and build the damn park there.

Mr. Filet O'Fish always good to see you and I have no doubt you heard what you heard, but, and there's always a but (hehe), construction costs have not risen by by 80% over the last four or so years, in fact some builders would say the cost of both steel and concrete have actually fallen over the period. Has there been wage inflation? Yes. Has there been more government regulations concerning construction that have driven up costs? Yes. But nowhere near the 80% that would drive a $250 million project to a $450 milillion one.

 

There have to be some other overriding costs increases besides inflation.

If the Marlins run construction, use City owned land, and get the county and city to take care of garages and roads, the Marlins can get it done for $325 million. I have no doubts. Building in Miami is cheaper than Houston because the land costs less since the city already owns it.

The Astros ballpark is similar to the OB with the highway and arena nearby. Parking is also limited to garages in the area.

As it relates to Houston....

 

Fat-Ass Goldberg had the President of the Greater Houston Sports Development Committee on a couple of days ago. The comparisons in cost between MM park and the situation in Miami was discussed....

 

The main point made was that costs associated with building sporting venues like MM, etc are subject to a far greater rate of inflation. He said that if Houston had to build MM all over again today the costs would be in the $450mil neighborhood due to inflation.

 

So the comparisons in cost some are making aren't exactly accurate. If this were the case and inflation wasn't an issue we could go buy Alaska for 12 million and build the damn park there. when Hank Goldberg is quoted, that's when I hit the mute button. Now Goldberg is explaining how to get a roof stadium in Miami. It's Goldberg who insists the team doesn't need a new stadium. Guess what, they do. Without a new stadium, bye bye Marlins.

when Hank Goldberg is quoted, that's when I hit the mute button

I agree, Goldberg is a blowhard, but on weeks like SP week he has a ton of decent guests. You misinterpreted...It was the President of the Houson Committee that made the reference between MM costs then and now.. And since this guy went out and got stadiums done for the Stros, Rockets and Texans I gotta believe there is some truth to what he's saying.

 

construction costs have not risen by by 80% over the last four or so years, in fact some builders would say the cost of both steel and concrete have actually fallen over the period. Has there been wage inflation? Yes. Has there been more government regulations concerning construction that have driven up costs? Yes. But nowhere near the 80% that would drive a $250 million project to a $450 milillion one.

 

There have to be some other overriding costs increases besides inflation.

 

Yes, there are overriding costs... Like demand. But in the end I have to side with the guy whose built an arena, a ballpark and a football stadium in the last 4 years.