February 16, 2008
Marlins reported to have struck stadium deal
Sarah Talalay of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, who is usually reliable about these things, reports that the Florida Marlins have reached agreement on a $515 million stadium deal with city and county leaders:
The deal calls for the county and city to contribute $360 million mainly in tourist taxes and a $50 million general obligation bond Miami-Dade voters approved in 2004 to renovate the Orange Bowl, but which will instead be moved to the ballpark project. The Marlins are to contribute $155 million.
That's essentially the same deal the parties agreed to back in December, leaving it an open question whether the county still intends to ask for sales tax rebates to help finance its share. (The state has historically been not so hot on kicking in money for a Marlins deal.) Other open questions: what happens with those lawsuits against the deal; and whether the city and county commissions will be more eager to approve this plan than they were two months ago. According to Talalay, both are scheduled to vote next Thursday.
On the matter of why taxpayers are being asked to shell out $360 million for a new baseball stadium, Talalay explains:
The team says it needs its own home because it pays rent at Dolphin Stadium, where its lease expires after the 2010 season, and receives only percentages of revenue from parking, concessions and advertising signage.
Coincidentally, I also pay rent at my current home, my lease expires soon, and I don't get any revenue from parking or ad signage. Dear Miami-Dade County: I take Paypal.
