Miami-Dade County commissioners received the finalized version of a baseball stadium agreement for the Florida Marlins late Saturday night, leaving the team the closest it has been in its decade-long search for funding -- and the county on the hook for $98 million more than previously reported.The 94-page document, which was sent to commissioners by courier, still calls for tourist tax dollars to fund the majority of the $525 million plan that would place a ballpark at the site of what is now Little Havana's Orange Bowl.
But it increases the county's share to $347 million. The city of Miami, on the other hand, is now only required to pony up $23 million -- $10 million of which would go toward the demolition of the Orange Bowl.
The Marlins' share would come to $155 million, with the team required to pay $120 million upfront and the remainder in yearly rent payments of $2.3 million. Miami, though, is also required to spend $94 million on a 6,000-car parking garage.So while the county and city contributions have changed -- one rising, one falling -- the net public contribution remains the same.
According to the document constructed by County Manager George Burgess, the team was allowed to lower its out-of-pocket contribution by agreeing to annual payments of $750,000 toward capital improvements -- one of the major sticking points during the two-month negotiations.
Another sticking point: the Marlins' wish to have the county pay for office space in the downtown Miami area, wasn't completely ironed out. The contract simply says the county will help identify space.
When complete, the natural-grass ballpark would have 37,000 seats, 3,000 club seats, 60 suites and a retractable roof to shield players and fans from South Florida's summer thunderstorms.
The team also would agree to not relocate for 35 years, the length of the agreement. The county would own the stadium, and the Marlins would be responsible for construction cost overruns.
The plan calls for a limited construction window, with groundbreaking expected in November, and the stadium complete in time for the Marlins to take the field Opening Day in April 2011. The Marlins lease at H. Wayne Huizenga-owned Dolphin Stadium runs out at the end of the 2010 season. '
With the deal finally complete after two-months of intense negotiations, all that remains for the Marlins to finally begin building the stadium team owners have fought for more than a decade is a vote by city of Miami and county commissioners.
Both commissions have scheduled meetings Thursday to discuss and possibly vote on the financial package.
The ballclub has also agreed to change its name to the Miami Marlins.
As of late Saturday, Miami commissioners had not yet received the document.
''I was told they won't be able to deliver it [the stadium financing contract] today, but to be set for a briefing tomorrow [Sunday], or Monday,'' said Miami Commissioner Tomás Regalado.
