Marlins, county set to commit $210 million toward new ballpark

Marlins, county set to commit $210 million toward new ballpark
Eds: UPDATES with quotes, reax
By TIM REYNOLDS
Associated Press Writer
MIAMI (AP) -- The World Series champion Florida Marlins and Miami-Dade County announced a plan Tuesday night to fund $210 million toward a new ballpark that would open in 2007.
The 38,000-seat ballpark, which would have a retractable roof, is projected to cost $325 million, not including land for the new facility. The Marlins will commit $137 million and the county $73 million, which would come from convention development tax proceeds and professional sports franchise facility tax money.
"Obviously that leaves a gap," County Mayor Alex Penelas said. "We don't have answers on how to fill that gap today. I'll be very honest. This is only the beginning, a first step."
Penelas said it was largely coincidental that Tuesday's announcement was made only about an hour after a daylong South Florida celebration of the Marlins' World Series championship concluded. The county commission will vote on the resolution on Nov. 4; Penelas said the matter had to be made public one week before that meeting to be on the agenda.
"Time was of the essence," he said.
If county commissioners do not approve to commit $35 million in convention development tax money at their next meeting, then that money would go to Miami Beach for convention center upgrades. The county has a Dec. 1 deadline to either use the money for baseball or commit it to the convention center.
Miami Beach Mayor David Dermer did not immediately return a telephone message Tuesday night.
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig praised the announcement.
"I am extremely pleased and excited that the Florida Marlins have been able to transform their success, both on and off the field, to renewed interest among their fan base and significant movement toward the possibility of building a new ballpark in South Florida," he said in a statement.
Marlins president David Samson said the team needs its own ballpark to remain financially stable. The team's payroll this year was $54 million, 21st among the 30 teams.
The team has not chosen a site for the new ballpark, and will not make any demands about the location, Samson said. Included in the resolution commissioners will put up for vote Nov. 4 is a provision that calls for financing for the total stadium package to be finalized by March 15.
"This team has to know by March 15 its future," Samson said. "That is a requirement by Jeffrey Loria and myself as we plan the operation of the team. March 15 is a critical day for us."