Building a Ballpark at the Orange Bowl is Complicated Too
We told you about the Miami Herald’s traffic expert chiming in on the ballpark. Now comes the view from the Sun-Sentinel’s “Business in Sports” expert Sarah Talalay.
Sarah, take it away:
Don’t assume, despite what the politicians say, that the $490 million financing deal debated earlier this year only to stall when the state Senate adjourned without considering a $60 million sales tax rebate, can just be moved to the OB site.
But listen to what our leaders have to say:
“I believe we had the financing in place, even six to eight months ago,” [Miami City Manager Pete] Hernandez said. “The only item missing was what we were looking for from the state. At this point, I don’t think it’s insurmountable. We have the funding in the place.”
Added [Miami Mayor Manny] Diaz, “The meat of whatever agreement is there, the adjustment is the site. We’re really modifying the agreement. I’m hoping we can move with all deliberate speed to get a deal done as soon as possible.”
Why the pessimism? More
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RETWEETED19 years ago
Here’s an idea… Build the Ballpark downtown as the Marlins wanted at the Government Center area (where less parking would need to be built because of lots and garages already there), and build the new children’s courthouse and any other government facilities that the County wanted to put downtown at the OB Site. They will probably have enough land left over at the OB Site to sell to commercial developers. This way, each site develops with projects that are appropriate for it. Downtown develops through ballpark and related services business (bars, restaurants, etc.) which can be easily accessed through public transport and infrastructure which can handle heavy traffic. The more residential OB site develops through government projects and new commercial development and doesn’t overwhelm existing infrastructure. But that may be too rational for Miami…
