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Marlins Stadium Update No. 70,108
Just in case you somehow thought there would be no more roadblocks to construction of a proposed $515 million ballpark for the Marlins at the site of the Orange Bowl, luxury auto dealer Norman Braman’s lawsuit is still alive and kicking.
Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Pedro Echarte Jr. dismissed on Thursday the claims that Miami-Dade County Manager George Burgess negotiated the ballpark deal in private in violation of the state's public records laws. But he let stand claims questioning the constitutionality of the financing and whether the ballpark “serves a paramount public purpose.”
The split decision allowed representatives of both the county and Braman to claim partial victory, but the key here is the case is scheduled to go to trial on July 1.
Attorneys for the county, who were pleased the judge dismissed the Sunshine law complaints, argued that having to negotiate a stadium deal - and similar agreements - in public would bring government to a standstill. They also argued that they followed the law – holding a public hearing - when choosing to move a $50 million general obligation bond voters approved in 2004 to renovate the Orange Bowl to the ballpark project. They also said the ballpark does serve a public purpose.
Braman’s attorneys argued that using public dollars for a private enterprise violates the state’s constitution.
Echarte agreed to let the bond issue and public purpose claims go to trial. His decision does not mean Braman will prevail, but his attorneys were pleased the case will go to trial.
“The Marlins are getting a business operation delivered to them on a silver platter for business purproses,” said Bob Martinez, an attorney for Braman. “[We’re] alleging violation of the constitution in the expenditure of approximately a half billion dollars for the benefit of a private party … I think the people are entitled to have that matter fleshed out and publicly in court.”
Comments
What i hate about this city is the sports fans we have. All of u bashing the marlins and the new stadium are the losers who honk your horns when we win a title and wave the marlins flags at the parades. U all disgust me. Go MARLINS!!!!!!!
Posted by: Dave | May 10, 2008 2:43 PM
Why would Norman Braman, who owns the Phil. Eagles, be so dead against a Marlins stadium? He says he cares about the Miami-Dade tax payer getting screwed. Since when does a multi-billionaire care about the little man? He's incoots with someone who wants the Marlins to move out of So. Fla. I think it's H.Wayne who didn't think the Marlins would amount to anything after he sold them. I know a lot of people down here don't give a hoot about baseball, but a great city should have a baseball team.
Posted by: SVB2002 | May 10, 2008 12:42 PM
Why would Norman Braman, who owns the Phil. Eagles, be so dead against a Marlins stadium? He says he cares about the Miami-Dade tax payer getting screwed. Since when does a multi-billionaire care about the little man? He's incoots with someone who wants the Marlins to move out of So. Fla. I think it's H.Wayne who didn't think the Marlins would amount to anything after he sold them. I know a lot of people down here don't give a hoot about baseball, but a great city should have a baseball team.
Posted by: SVB2002 | May 10, 2008 12:42 PM
Why would Norman Braman, who owns the Phil. Eagles, be so dead against a Marlins stadium? He says he cares about the Miami-Dade tax payer getting screwed. Since when does a multi-billionaire care about the little man? He's incoots with someone who wants the Marlins to move out of So. Fla. I think it's H.Wayne who didn't think the Marlins would amount to anything after he sold them. I know a lot of people down here don't give a hoot about baseball, but a great city should have a baseball team.
Posted by: SVB2002 | May 10, 2008 12:42 PM
Enjoy the nachos. Be loud. Good night.
Posted by: Phil Hellmuth | May 9, 2008 6:42 PM
Why is everyone afraid of getting good and wet at the ballpark? There's no better way to spend an evening. You don't need a dome, people!
Posted by: Phil Hellmuth | May 9, 2008 6:40 PM
BREAKING NEWS: The Marlins are paying for the stadium themselves, 100 percent, with no city and county funds.
I have exclusively learned that every fan in attendance at the June 26 day game against Tampa Bay will pay $1 million apiece to fund the new ballpark.
Since 515 people will be there, voila! Deal done!
Posted by: Phil Hellmuth | May 9, 2008 6:37 PM
Of course it serves "a paramount public purpose." I mean, you can never have enough vacant parking garages.
Posted by: Phil Hellmuth | May 9, 2008 6:34 PM
Its about time someone stand up to these county officials or whoever I'd making these decisions . With all the other problems in society I just don't agree with giving all of that money in order to build a brand new stadium when they can't even fill up the one they play at as we speak
Posted by: Anonymous | May 9, 2008 5:43 PM