Retro-look stadium? Florida Marlins say no

July 19, 4:08 PMFlorida Marlins ExaminerEdward Giuliotti

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The Florida Marlins on Saturday held their groundbreaking ceremony for their new stadium, scheduled to open in April 2012. And with it came a dazzling display of images from the Marlins and Populous, the architectural firm that is designing the stadium. One such graphic adorned the front page of Sunday's South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

The stadium, like many built over the past two decades, will be fan-friendly and spacious, with open concourses and spectacular views. But it will not be a throwback ballpark, like many built others during this span, starting with Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, have been. Rather, the plan is for a sleek, modern stadium, comprised of white stucco, silver metal and glass.

Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria told reporters Saturday that a retro-styled stadium wouldn't be appropriate in a market such as Miami. He acknowledged that while ideas will be borrowed from several parks, the finished product will be unique.

As savage thunderstorms battered South Florida over the weekend, wreaking havoc with the Marlins-Phillies series, fans can take solace in knowing they would not have to endure any more rain delays. The stadium will have a retractable roof that is expected to be able to close in less than 13 minutes.  But when the roof is closed, glass panels above left field will allow for a spectacular view of the Miami skyline. The panels would be open when the roof is open.

Other amenities include a pool/beach area, a 300-yard plaza on the stadium's west side that can be used for events even when the team is out of town, and retail shops at the bottom of the adjacent parking garages.

Critics have decried the stadium location, saying the logistics will not work. Many claim the commute will be inconvenient  for fans traveling from nearby Broward, Palm Beach and Martin counties. The stadium is being built in a neighborhood near downtown, on the site of the old Orange Bowl stadium. While such locations have been favored by other new baseball stadiums, the Orange Bowl site is in a neighborhood largely devoid of restaurants, bars and convenient roadways. 

And just in case anyone forgets where they are while sitting in traffic, the team will be known as the Miami Marlins in 2012, the same name of the longtime minor league team that played at the old Bobby Maduro Stadium, located a few miles away.

For more info: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

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