February 18, 2008

Pols gripe over Marlins stadium details

Miami-Dade County commissioners got their first look at the latest Florida Marlins stadium proposal this weekend in advance of Thursday's planned vote, and several of them expressed their qualms to the Miami Herald:

• "It's hijacking Peter to pay Paul," said commissioner Joe Martinez of the financing scheme that would redirect money from redeveloping poor neighborhoods to free up cash for the stadium.
• Commissioner Carlos Gimenez wondered why the Marlins owners would only be putting in $155 million, about 30 percent, when the city government would be paying for, among other things, the full cost of a $94 million stadium parking garage. He also was displeased by a clause that would give the city and county use of a luxury suite for one-third of home games: "I don't really want a free suite."
• Commissioner Katy Sorenson noted that the county would be required to waive its green building codes for the project, or pay the added cost itself for environmental enhancements. "We've barely began our sustainable buildings program - long behind more progressive communities - and we're already ready to throw it under the bus," she said.
• Other commissioners raised questions about liability if the team is unable to cover cost overruns, and guarantees that the money will be used to pay better players, not increase team profits. "I'm looking at moving this forward, but I have some reservations and they need to be resolved," said commissioner Sally Heyman.

Both Sorenson, who opposes the stadium deal, and county commission chair Bruno Barreiro, who backs it, said they expected it to be approved by the commission this Thursday. Given the number of details yet to be worked out, though, it's still possible that the vote will be postponed, just like last time.

—Neil deMause

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