Post by Fish Troll on Jan 25, 2008 12:45:24 GMT -5
At this corner he is some auto dealer who is claiming to do this for the poor, he is Norman Braman. And at this corner, weighing at $3 billions, from the south of florida, we present to you the the financial plan for the Orange Bowl Project. Who will win, this might take another 3 years for all I know.
Auto dealer Braman files legal challenge to Marlins stadium plan
By Sarah Talalay | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
January 24, 2008
Luxury auto dealer Norman Braman filed a legal challenge Wednesday to a plan to fund $3 billion worth of projects in the city of Miami, including a Marlins ballpark at the site of the Orange Bowl.
Braman's lawsuit filed in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court claims the county's decision to move $50 million in general obligation bond funding approved by voters in 2004 to renovate the Orange Bowl to the ballpark project violates the state constitution. It also says changing the source of repayment of bonds on the performing arts center to free up dollars for the ballpark breaches the contract with bondholders, which include Braman.
The suit also takes aim at County Manager George Burgess for negotiating on behalf of the county commission the overall plan forged between the county and Miami last month — and one to fund the stadium — in private in violation of public records law.
The city-county agreement extends the life and expands the boundaries of Miami's Community Redevelopment Agencies to generate millions of dollars for projects, including a port tunnel. The agreement shifts CRA dollars to pay down debt on the arts center to free up hotel bed tax dollars — which have been repaying the bonds — for a Marlins stadium.
Braman, who is planning additional challenges to the plan, said taxpayers have been denied access to negotiations and a say in the use of taxpayer dollars for the Marlins.
Burgess, who says he works for the county mayor, not the commission, said he hadn't read the lawsuit. County attorneys have maintained the $50 million bond funding could be moved to the ballpark project as long as the county commission held a public hearing, which it did last month.
"Just because somebody files a suit or challenges something doesn't mean they are correct," Burgess said.
The city and the Marlins, who are also named in the suit, had no comment.
The county, city, Marlins and Major League Baseball are continuing to negotiate a $525 million ballpark financing plan.
By Sarah Talalay | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
January 24, 2008
Luxury auto dealer Norman Braman filed a legal challenge Wednesday to a plan to fund $3 billion worth of projects in the city of Miami, including a Marlins ballpark at the site of the Orange Bowl.
Braman's lawsuit filed in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court claims the county's decision to move $50 million in general obligation bond funding approved by voters in 2004 to renovate the Orange Bowl to the ballpark project violates the state constitution. It also says changing the source of repayment of bonds on the performing arts center to free up dollars for the ballpark breaches the contract with bondholders, which include Braman.
The suit also takes aim at County Manager George Burgess for negotiating on behalf of the county commission the overall plan forged between the county and Miami last month — and one to fund the stadium — in private in violation of public records law.
The city-county agreement extends the life and expands the boundaries of Miami's Community Redevelopment Agencies to generate millions of dollars for projects, including a port tunnel. The agreement shifts CRA dollars to pay down debt on the arts center to free up hotel bed tax dollars — which have been repaying the bonds — for a Marlins stadium.
Braman, who is planning additional challenges to the plan, said taxpayers have been denied access to negotiations and a say in the use of taxpayer dollars for the Marlins.
Burgess, who says he works for the county mayor, not the commission, said he hadn't read the lawsuit. County attorneys have maintained the $50 million bond funding could be moved to the ballpark project as long as the county commission held a public hearing, which it did last month.
"Just because somebody files a suit or challenges something doesn't mean they are correct," Burgess said.
The city and the Marlins, who are also named in the suit, had no comment.
The county, city, Marlins and Major League Baseball are continuing to negotiate a $525 million ballpark financing plan.
