http://www.miamiherald.com/new...ws/story/861069.html

Votes on Florida Marlins stadium delayed

BY CHARLES RABIN
crabin@MiamiHerald.com

A package of votes that could cement a new baseball stadium for the Florida Marlins, initially planned for Thursday before Miami and Miami-Dade commissioners, has been pushed back until next month.

The holidays, coupled with Tuesday's presidential inauguration -- which will be attended by several elected officials -- combined to push back the final votes that could bring the team its long-elusive permanent home in South Florida.

Though both political bodies endorsed the new stadium in late 2007, they still must finalize key final managerial and construction contracts before ground can be broken.

It's passage is not definite. A two-thirds majority of county commissioners must OK the agreements. The reason: The Marlins hired contractors without going through a county bid process, triggering the necessary super majority vote to approve.

The Marlins now play baseball through a lease agreement at H. Wayne Huizenga-owned Dolphin Stadium. That lease expires at the end of the 2010 season.

Even if construction on a new stadium planned for Little Havana were to begin today, the team said the facility wouldn't be fit for play until Opening Day 2012, leaving a one-year gap.

The ball club is likely to work out a deal with Stephen Ross -- expected to become the Dolphins' majority owner by the end of the month -- to play another year at the football stadium on the Dade/Broward county line.

The Marlins view a permanent home as a lifesaver that will keep them in South Florida for at least the next 30 years. They complain they are handcuffed in their current lease agreement, pocketing limited concession benefits.

The new 37,000 seat stadium would also have a retractable roof, which the team views as crucial in wet, humid South Florida.

County and city leaders, such as mayors Carlos Alvarez and Manny Diaz, say the construction will create hundreds of jobs and spur economic growth in an area of Miami-Dade badly in need of revival.

Critics contend that spending almost $400 million of county taxes -- accrued through hotel room revenue -- for a private enterprise is a misuse of public funds.

The construction of the stadium is expected to cost at least $515 million, with the Marlins contributing $120 million out of pocket and repaying the county another $35 million of borrowed money.

Miami would donate the land and build a $100 million parking garage.