THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MIAMI - Designs for the Florida Marlins' new ballpark were released for the first time Tuesday, more than two weeks before Miami and Miami-Dade commissioners vote on the stadium the team has long craved.
The plans show how the $515-million ballpark is expected to help invigorate the Little Havana neighborhood on the site of the now-demolished Orange Bowl near downtown. The retractable-roof stadium has a mostly white exterior with windows beyond part of the outfield seats and palm trees lining the entrance.
Since their first game in 1993, the Marlins have played at Dolphin Stadium, which is also where the Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes play football. The ballpark is a major piece of a $3 billion public works package that includes a tunnel for the Port of Miami and a downtown trolley line. City and county commissioners are scheduled to vote on the final contracts Feb. 13.
The Marlins, who perennially have one of the lowest payrolls in the major leagues, say the ballpark will ensure higher revenue, allowing the team to spend more on players. The team did not want to comment Tuesday.
If approved, the ballpark is slated to open for the 2012 season.
The ballpark was originally scheduled to open for the 2011 season, but a legal challenge pushed back that date.
