Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jeri Beth Cohen finally issued the final ruling in auto dealer Norman Braman’s lawsuit challenging the financing for a new ballpark for the Marlins.

As promised, Cohen ruled a referendum is not necessary for a portion of the financing for $3 billion in Miami projects. Her ruling came after the Florida Supreme Court refused on Wednesday to re-hear - again - a similar case.

The county, city of Miami and Marlins have never believed a referendum was required for the ballpark project, but the ruling gives them peace of mind to move forward.

“We are very happy that Judge Cohen has entered the final judgment,” Marlins President David Samson said in a statement. “We always knew that the facts and the law made it impossible for Norman Braman to prevail.”

Samson went on to promise “thousands of jobs and doing our part to make Miami an even greater world-class city.”

Samson and others say final agreements spelling out the details of the construction, financing, and other elements of the stadium are close to completion. Officials hope those agreements can be brought to the county and city commissions for approval next month or in January. Those votes are not guaranteed and serious discussion of job creation, stadium construction costs and whether public money should be put toward the $515 million ballpark in such a tough economy are expected.

Samson also told reporters Friday he expects to know soon whether the optimistic 2011 opening for the ballpark is possible. Samson blamed the delay on Braman’s lawsuit. Braman is expected to appeal.

"We've always said the Braman litigation absolutely was a delay," Samson told reporters. "We're evaluating the significance of that delay, and we'll take it from there."