January 09, 2007

Marlins seek to tap "blight" money for stadium

Yet another reason why it's bad to be a one-newspaper town: Today's South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that MLB and Miami officials "are optimistic they are close to finalizing a deal" to build a Florida Marlins stadium, with Miami-Dade County tax collector Ian Yorty saying he hopes to move forward "in a month or two." As for financing, the Sun-Sentinel reports:

The deal is expected to include a contribution from the Marlins, hotel bed taxes from Miami-Dade County and property taxes generated by development in the city's Community Redevelopment Agency district near the stadium property, which is east of Interstate 95 and a few blocks southwest of Miami Arena. Although the proposed site is outside the district, city and county officials say the district could be expanded, if the city and county commissions agree.

Sounds okay, right? The team kicks in some, those no-good tourists kick in some, and some money comes from some sort of stadium-related property tax. Sounds almost equitable.

Now let's turn to the Miami Herald:

The latest plan to build the cash-strapped Florida Marlins a new stadium in downtown Miami involves using millions of dollars of money meant to improve blighted neighborhoods.

It also calls for the city of Miami to deed property to Miami-Dade County so the Marlins - which would lease the stadium - could receive a tax break. And it requires money, once again, from the state Legislature.

Well, that's certainly a different perspective. The Herald goes on to note that CRA money is legally required to go to "blighted" districts, but that Miami Mayor Manny Diaz thinks he can use it for general "redevelopment" (which smells like a lawsuit to me), and that the state legislature has consistently refused to help fund a Marlins stadium. The price tag, meanwhile, is now expected to be close to $500 million, according to the Sun-Sentinel. In other words: new plan, old bottle.