September 14, 2005
Marlins gap grows
If the Twins stadium plan is on life support, the Florida Marlins should be calling for last rites. Miami-Dade county manager George Burgess says he's "not optimistic" about moving forward with plans for a $400-million-plus stadium next to the Orange Bowl, as the funding gap has increased from $30 million to $100 million, the team is "reluctant to further expend money," and the county has "reached the limits of our ability to contribute in a responsible manner to this project." Concurred county commission chair Joe Martinez: "It looks bleak and there has to come a time where we have to say, we're not going to continue. Instead of closing up the financial gap, it's getting worse all the time."
Among the dwindling options for closing the gap: Scrapping the planned retractable roof (the Marlins and MLB insist they need one, though apparently not enough to actually pay for it themselves), or passing a one-year sales-tax hike to raise the additional money - though that likely couldn't be put on the ballot until November 2006, and even then it's not like South Florida voters are crazy about the idea.
—Neil deMause
