The Miami Herald is showing off new photos of the ballpark, primarily focused on the park space around the ballpark and how it interacts with the neighborhood. In addition, we get our first photo of the actual playing field featuring a large scoreboard, a silver-colored Marlins logo, and our first look at the previously mention animatronic Marlin in center field (first photo, middle, surrounded by water fountains).
Barring any more legal challenges, the Marlins are now on their way to breaking ground on the new ballpark after Miami-Dade County approved the ballpark agreements.
Miami-Dade County commissioners on Monday put to rest more than a decade quest by voting in favor of a roofed ballpark for the Marlins on the Orange Bowl grounds. Commissioners cast two separate votes; the first came back 9-4, and the second was 10-3.
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The first three hours of the meeting were set aside for a public hearing, where more than 90 people made their voices heard — pro and con. For several hours, the commissioners debated the facts of the project.
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To pass, the Marlins needed nine of 13 commissioners to vote in favor. The commissioners addressed five separate agreements — non-relocation, assurance, parking, operating and construction.
Update: I’ve been asked why I’m not showing more enthusiasm in this post. Honestly, until they break ground and heavy equipment shows up, I can’t celebrate. We’ve seen far too many curveballs the last couple of years that I’m wait and see until it happens.
Finally!
After many delays and frequent grandstanding, the City of Miami has approved the new Marlins Ballpark and related agreements. Now on to the County for final approval.
Here is the link to the live broadcast of the meeting: Special City Commission Meeting (Live)
Another day, another schedule change for the “final vote” on the new ballpark. This time the vote has been moved up from March 12th to March 4th for the City of Miami and March 5th for Miami-Dade County.
There’s really nothing else to add at this point because this process has become completely unpredictable. I suggest prayer as the only reliable way out of this mess.
Update: There is even talk of compromise.
Well all expected today to be a good day for Miami and the Marlins but all hell broke loose and now the City of Miami has postponed the vote until March.
It all began when Commissioner Marc Sarnoff decided to renegotiate the entire deal during the hearing. He primarily focused on cost overruns for building a garage, the City getting a bigger share of the naming rights and penalties related to future sale of the team or death of the owner. An upset David Samson offered to cap the garage at the City’s contribution (meaning no overruns) and then said that reopening the other issues would require reopening the entire package. I guess Commissioner Sarnoff didn’t think that impacting the team’s estimated costs would upset the entire financial equation.
Commission Chair Sanchez said it best:
”What’s alarming is that I am appalled at how we have handled this,” Sanchez said, criticizing Sarnoff for attempting to re-write the deal on the day of the vote.
You can share your thoughts with Commissioner Sarnoff here
The City and County are debating and voting on the ballpark. You can watch both of them live at the links below:
A few more observations from reading the 5 agreements:
Total ballpark costs and funding.
The new ballpark will feature a large-scale animatronic marlin in a tank which will “jump” when the Fish hit a home run. It will be placed in the “Bermuda Triangle” area in center field. Above is the overview of the “Marlins Feature” from the ballpark agreements.