Miami, FL (My Sportsbook) - The planned 2011 target date for the new Florida Marlins stadium has been pushed back one year due to the extensive lawsuit filed by auto dealer Norman Braman, according to Marlins president David Samson on Tuesday. Though Braman lost all seven counts in the lawsuit, which challenged the public funding of the project and was concluded last week, the time spent in court has delayed the construction of the estimated $515 million retractable- roof ballpark to be plotted on the grounds of the Orange Bowl in the Little Havana section of Miami. In order to make the new 2012 deadline, the Marlins must break ground on construction in May 2009. Since their expansion year of 1993, the Marlins have played home games at Pro Player Stadium, which was recently renamed Dolphin Stadium to accommodate the NFL's Miami franchise. The stadium did undergo some renovations in 1999 to make it more baseball-friendly. The Marlins' lease with Dolphin Stadium expires after the 2010 season, but the team is hopeful to extend the agreement for another year. |
