Dolphins Unveil Plan For Stadium Makeover; Will Public Help Pay?

Dolphins Feel Renovations Are Needed To  Remain Viable Option To Host Super Bowls

The Dolphins Thursday unveiled plans for an extensive Dolphin Stadium renovation "that the public will be invited to fund," according to Douglas Hanks of the MIAMI HERALD. Dolphins CEO Mike Dee said that the proposed "structure -- a translucent square roof with an opening over most of the field -- will retain the feel of an open-air stadium while keeping out the rain." Dee noted that while the facility "doesn't need the renovations," the NFL "sees the stadium as too dated to remain a prime Super Bowl destination" after this year's game. He said, "From the Dolphins' perspective, the stadium's condition is more than adequate. This is about making sure we have a facility that is better than that, that competes with 21st century facilities (while) going after the largest event on the planet." Hanks notes Dee's remarks "set up a debate sure to recall last year's fight over Miami-Dade borrowing" of $490M for the Marlins' new ballpark. Two members of the South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee Thursday said that "they were told the renovations would cost" between $200-250M. Dee portrayed the Dolphins as "neutral on the question of whether the public should pay for the stadium renovations, and that the Host Committee would pursue the funding." The renovations outlined yesterday would give the NFL team a "dramatically reworked stadium sure to be more appealing for fans." The plans call for "ripping out the entire lower bowl and adding about 3,000 prime seats while moving the spectator area closer to the sidelines." In addition, Dolphin Stadium would get new lights "designed for high-definition television -- equipment the team has to temporarily install every time it hosts a night game" (MIAMI HERALD, 1/8).

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW: The proposed 621,000-square-foot roof would "be a steel-and-metal structure suspension built over the seating area and concourses, leaving the playing field still exposed." Safeco Field employs a "similar concept, and Dee noted the proposed design has been used for a handful of European soccer stadiums." Dee: "We need to look at this less like a roof and more like an umbrella. It's going to get a lot of light through. It won't be a dark facility" (AP, 1/7). He added of the renovations, "It's very much a work in progress. This is by no means decided" (PALM BEACH POST, 1/8). Developer Jay Cross and 360 Architecture, part of the team that planned AmericanAirlines Center in Miami, designed the proposed roof (Don Muret, SportsBusiness Journal). Dee said, "I can tell you we're prepared to leave no stone unturned in pursuing a strategy that secures future Super Bowls for this community. Where that road leads us we'll have to see." Meanwhile, Super Bowl Host Committee Chair Rodney Barreto noted that it "hasn't been determined whether requests will be made of the state or whether Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties will be asked to help" fund the renovations. But he added, "If there's no will to do this, then at least we'll know where we stand. Let's take it to the public, let's start the debate" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 1/8).