NewsConstruction starts on Marlins' new home
Crews begin work on stadium that is slated to open in 2012
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
07/01/09 1:34 PM ET
MIAMI -- Work crews were on the Orange Bowl grounds at 7 a.m. ET Wednesday, officially beginning construction of the new Marlins ballpark.The long-awaited project, which has been going on for more than a decade, was able to be launched after a frantic Tuesday of negotiations with Miami-Dade County commissioners.
Almost derailing the 37,000-seat, retractable-roof stadium deal was a last-minute $6 million shortfall.
The Marlins became aware of the $6 million gap around 4 p.m. on Tuesday. The issue was resolved after 1 a.m. ET on Wednesday.
Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said the team would make up the $6 million gap, after the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County both declined.
"It was time to start," team president David Samson said on Wednesday. "What happened yesterday is there was a $6 million shortfall in the proceeds to build the stadium. It had to be filled because you can't start a project without the funding."
The new ballpark, which is being built on the Orange Bowl grounds in the Little Havana section of Miami, is scheduled to open in 2012. The cost of the park is $515 million.
Construction crews began grading the grounds early Wednesday morning, preparing it for building. Samson noted that the deal was in jeopardy of completely collapsing if Tuesday's final agreements weren't reached.
The county commissioners eventually approved the bonds needed to pay for the stadium.
"It was very complicated, yet very easy," Samson said. "The interest rates for the bonds were slightly higher than anticipated. There wasn't a dollar overrun. There were fewer proceeds, which is why there was a $6 million gap."
While workers were preparing the grounds on Wednesday, the ceremonial groundbreaking will be on July 18 from 10 a.m.-noon at the Orange Bowl.
"There will be food, activities," Samson said. "It's going to be a memory. It's going to be historic. There are going to a myriad of things to do on that day."
The public is welcome to the July 18 groundbreaking. Fans can follow the construction of the site on www.marlins.com, which has a webcam stationed to show all activities on the site until the stadium is completed.
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
