[AP]Marlins Reach Ballpark Agreement With …
Marlins Reach Ballpark Agreement With City
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: February 4, 2005
MIAMI (AP) -- The Florida Marlins reached an agreement in principle
with the city and Miami-Dade County on a plan for a $420 million
ballpark adjacent to the Orange Bowl, but the deal still needs $60
million from the state.
The agreement awaits anticipated approval later this month by city
and county commissioners. That would leave the Florida Legislature as
the final hurdle.
``This will be the first time the Marlins, the county and the city
have had a deal to present to Tallahassee,'' team president David
Samson said Friday. ``We're confident and hopeful that the state will
agree with the county and city that the Marlins and South Florida are
used in the same sentence forever and ever.''
The state has rejected two previous proposals by the Marlins for a
new ballpark.
Gov. Jeb Bush said the team will get a ``fair hearing'' in
Tallahassee, but he was noncommittal on whether state money should be
used to help finance a ballpark.
``We're going to keep an open mind on that,'' Bush said. ``The
Legislature, if they approve it, I'll look at it. Last year, I did
support the financing because I really think it's important to keep
the Marlins in South Florida. But we need to really look at the
financing plan, make sure it's serious and solid, that the owner is
putting up serious money.''
The Marlins have said they're willing to spend $192 million on a
38,000-seat stadium with a retractable roof. The city and county
agreed to contribute, but a $30 million funding gap remains.
The team will ask the Legislature for a $60 million sales tax rebate
over 30 years, which would allow the team to borrow $30 million for
financing the project. Samson said the team is close to securing bill
sponsors in the House and Senate.
The Marlins' lease at Dolphins Stadium will expire following the 2010
season, and owner H. Wayne Huizenga has said it won't be extended.
Marlins executives traveled to Las Vegas in December to talk with
officials about a possible move there.
Miami and Miami-Dade County reached their agreement with the Marlins
after the team agreed to a lien on the franchise if it fails to cover
cost overruns for the ballpark.
City and county officials didn't return calls seeking comment Friday.
--
If you're not have fun in baseball,
you miss the point of everything.
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 220.141.134.217
Marlins 近期熱門文章
PTT體育區 即時熱門文章
43
178
8
19