http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_8284380
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Sunday, February 17, 2008
Florida Marlins Move Closer to Getting New Ballpark
After years of trying without success, it appears the Florida Marlins are the closest they have ever been to successfully procuring a ballpark of their own. Reports indicate finalizing the agreement is but a mere formality. The location of the ballpark is probably not the best, in an older somewhat rundown Miami neighborhood on the site of the now near 80 year old Orange Bowl, scheduled for razing this year after the University of Miami abandoned the ArtDeco architecture themed historic structure for where the Marlins currently play, the primarily football oriented Dolphins Stadium approximately 15 miles to the north. The cost of the new facility with a retractable roof to end the regular problem of rain delays will be a minimum of $525 million and likely more. It is planned for an opening in Spring 2011 with a seating capacity of over 37,000. The facility will also be likely used for conventions, concerts, expositions, and other events that will enhanced by being conducted in a climate controlled environment.With the finalizing of this agreement and completion of construction, all but one MLB club will be in a newer facility or one that has been refurbished or upgraded in the last 20-25 years. The Cubs, Redsox, Royals, and Dodgers are the clubs playing in older facilities that have or are undergoing improvements, upgrades, or modernization. The Oakland Athletics remain as the sole club yet to secure a new ballpark, but plans are underway for a new ballpark of their own 30 miles south of where they currently play along the eastside of the San Francisco Bay to Fremont, a small suburb on the northeast side of San Jose. The Athletics' plan should be finalized sometime this year. That will give all 30 major league baseball clubs new or newer mass revenue creating Taj Mahals of their owns by 2012.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/feb/17/marlins-governments-finalizing-515-million-stadium/
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