Ballpark Ballyhoo

It looks as if the complications of negotiations are continuing, and the Marlins are now 'eyeing a mid-February county commission meeting' for ballpark approval. Then the city will have its say, 'which could take weeks'. Issues remaining include 'financing for a parking garage and $2 million in annual stadium upkeep.' And, of course, 'a judge conceivably could halt the project if a court agrees with Braman that using $50 million in bond money -- originally designed to renovate the OB -- on a Marlins ballpark would violate the state constitution.' Mayor Diaz defends the process, saying, "There's no legal requirement for any of this to be subject to a referendum." (MiamiHerald)