http://cbs4.com/sports/marlins....miami.2.931493.html

Groups Protest Against Proposed Marlins Stadium

New Marlins Stadium Vote Set For Feb. 13th

MIAMI (CBS4)- Elected officials, community organizations, business owners and others gathered outside the Fillmore at the Jackson Gleason Theater in Miami Beach on Tuesday, explaining how the proposed Marlins baseball stadium would divert needed money from the local economy.

One member of the coalition, City of Miami Beach Commissioner Dee Dee Whitehorn, said, "I implore we go slow and do our homework."

Miami-Dade County and Miami city commissioners are expected to vote on February 13th on five agreements finalized by the county, the city and the Marlins that spell out the fate of the $515 million stadium.

"The world class baseball facility that will be the envy of the nation," said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez on Tuesday, as he rallied up support from hundreds inside the Fillmore Miami Beach.

But it looks like with the tough economy, a tougher stance against the stadium has come about. A group that just formed is calling itself "The Coalition Against the Marlins Bailout".

"This is simply a bad deal for the county and its taxpayers," said one man from the coalition, speaking on a podium outside the performance facility housed at the Jackie Gleason Theater.

Miami-Dade Commissioner Sally Heyman was among the people gathered outside the Fillmore.

"I love baseball, I support a baseball stadium, but not in this situation, not at this time, not under these terms," said Heyman.

She says she will vote against the deal with Friday.

The Coalition Against Marlins Bailout claimed that spending a minimum of $489-million in tax dollars toward a ballpark for the Florida Marlins would take away from other countywide improvements that would generate revenue.

The coalition also claims that current agreements to build the 37,000-seat stadium could force the county to tap into its general revenue funds, which it suggests would affect local services.

Coalition members includes Clergy for Change; Urban Environment League; Human Services Coalition; Miami Neighborhoods United; Democracy for America; The Workers Center; Health Care For All; Former Rep. Gus Barreiro; Philanthropist Anthony Shriver; Miami Community Activist Jack Spirk; FIU law school student Mayowa Odusanya; South Miami Commissioner Valerie Newman; Kendall Community Activist Pat Erwin; Hialeah Community Activist Mercy Dominguez.