The Marlins missed a Jan. 1 deadline to "rebuild the home-run statue" that CEO Derek Jeter had banished from centerfield, but the installation outside of county-owned Marlins Park is "expected to be finished later this month," according to David Santiago of the MIAMI HERALD. The team "could face a $2,000 county fine for every day the seven-story mechanical sculpture's rebuild remains incomplete." However, fines "appear unlikely." Miami-Dade County Dir of Cultural Affairs Michael Spring said that he "wanted the fines waived because the missed deadline stemmed from unexpected difficulties converting the statue's whirring seaside icons, lasers and fountains from interior use to outdoors." Santiago notes early plans involved moving the statue to the Miami waterfront or Miami Int'l Airport, but the county and team eventually "settled on a location" outside of Marlins Park. The Marlins used the space where the statue once stood to build a new "multi-story spectator area now branded 'AutoNation Alley.'" Under the agreement to move the statue, the team "agreed to cover extra expenses tied to having the statue outside." The Marlins said that the team "still plans to have the statue come to life" whenever they hit a home run at Marlins Park (MIAMI HERALD, 1/10).
