City, county officials to vote on Marlins' ballpark

[February 13, 2009]  MIAMI (AP) -- South Florida politicians are set to vote on a new stadium in downtown Miami for the Florida Marlins.

City and county commissioners will cast their final votes Friday on a proposal for a retractable-roof ballpark in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood. It's the final hurdle before groundbreaking can begin on the facility, which is projected to open in 2012 if the measure passes.

The ballpark, which would sit on the site of Miami's now-demolished Orange Bowl, is part of a $3 billion public works package that includes a tunnel for the Port of Miami and a downtown trolley line.

Since the Marlins' first game in 1993, they've shared their home in suburban Miami with the NFL's Dolphins.

[Associated Press]

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