This Thursday, the Miami and Miami-Dade County commissioners could make the final decision if a new Marlins baseball stadium will be built.  The team has been saying a new ball park is a must if they are going to stay in South Florida.  I kind of see their point.  Over the years they have been playing in the Dolphin's Stadium.  Not the best place to watch a long summer game.  With no roof and the scorching temperatures and the summer rain, it spells low turnouts.  (Not to mention if they are not having a good season.)

Here are some points included in the new deal:
-The deal would lock the Marlins into staying in South Florida for 35 years.
-$515 million deal.
-Miami-Dade county would fork over $347 million ($50 million approved for the Orange Bowl renovation, the rest from hotel and sports facilities taxes.
-Miami (the city) will give $13 million in tourist taxes and $10 million to demolish the Orange Bowl.
-Marlins would pay $155 million and $35 million in rent.
-The team would turn into the Miami Marlins by 2011 (when the stadium would open).

The new park would have a retractable roof and be 'state of the art' with a parking structure.  One issue I would think is pretty big...the location.  Too far south and you squeeze out Broward and Palm Beach county fans.  The best place would have been closer to the Miami-Dade/Broward county line..but land is scarce.

So I guess we all need to wait a few more days to see if this new deal has legs.



Here is an artist rendering of the Miami Marlins Stadium.  (From Sun-Sentinel.com)