Apparently, auto dealer Norman Braman hasn’t been put off by losing in circuit court – or losing a “considerable amount” of money in Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme. Braman’s attorneys filed notice Friday that he’s appealing to the Third District Court of Appeal the case targeting the financing for $3 billion in Miami projects, including the Marlins ballpark.

Braman promised all along he would appeal. All that’s been filed is the notice –that’s all that’s required. Braman’s briefs in the case are due in early March, unless deadlines are extended.

Several people have asked me if the state pulling its support of the traffic tunnel to the Port of Miami earlier this month will have any bearing on the ballpark. It shouldn’t. Although the projects were tied together in the so-called “global agreement” that laid out financing for the $3 billion in projects, none of the projects is dependent on any other. Each needs its own set of government approvals and it’s not a domino situation, where if one falls so do the others.

And speaking of government approvals, it’s likely the financing, construction management, non-relocation and other agreements spelling out details of the $515 million ballpark proposed to be built at the site of the former Orange Bowl, will be presented to Miami-Dade County and city of Miami commissioners in early January, with votes coming later in the month.