Shortly after knowledge of this Thursday the decision of the Supreme Court of Florida, ruling that local governments can use bonds financed by increased tax revenues for investment in projects, Miami Mayor Manny Diaz said "we are happy with the decision on the use of these funds. "
According to Diaz, who benefit from the decision of the highest state court are the poorest areas of downtown Miami.
The "Comprehensive Agreement" negotiated between the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County, involves an estimated investment of $ 3 billion between the stadium for the Florida Marlins, a tunnel from the city towards the port of Miami, and park facing the bay.
Although it is the "Comprehensive Agreement," the mayor said that will advance housing projects, infrastructure, employment generation, economic development, parks and open spaces, artistic and cultural activities, and "measures to improve the quality of life in our city" .
The construction of the stadium, announced at $ 515 million, may have found a way out of the legal issues raised in the wake of his contract approved by the Board of Commissioners of Miami-Dade. In a few days the businessman Norman Braman had sued the county and city for alleged anomalies in the process, considering that these decisions should consult with the electorate. Braman also objected to the use of funds for community agencies (Community Redevelopment Agencies, in English) in the projects.
Yet these funds would be used by agencies not directly involved in the construction of the stadium, but would be invested in other works, thus allowing the use of funds for the sports center.
The state court's ruling also paves the way for Judge Jeri Cohen, who leads the case of the demands of Braman, fails to favor the stadium. But the dispute could not end yet, because Braman has announced that it will appeal the rulings.
The mayor of Miami-Dade Calos Alvarez has been a strong supporter of the Comprehensive Agreement ", believing that will create jobs and inject the local economy.
Critics have noted that the stadium is funded to a private company, without direct benefits for residents in times of financial crisis that generally tends to get worse.
