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Dolphins unveil stadium roof concept

The Miami Dolphins have unveiled a concept for a 621,000-square-foot roof to help woo future Super Bowls.


 

A rendering that shows what a new roof may look like from the outside of Dolphin Stadium. The upgrades being discussed included, new seats, a new lower bowl, and a roof over the seating area. The improvements will be in an effort to ensure future Super Bowls in South Florida.Dolphins CEO Mike Dee presented the concept to the South Florida Super Bowl XLIV Host Committee, which formed a subcommittee to look into stadium improvements to attract the Super Bowl and other events.

While the Super Bowl will visit South Florida on Feb. 7, the National Football League was concerned because a downpour occurred during the last Super Bowl that was played here, in 2007.

The roof design, used at several soccer stadiums in Europe, would utilize a cable system running from four pillars that would rise at the corners of the stadium, according to the Miami Dolphins Web site.

A rendering that shows what a new roof may look like from the inside of Dolphin Stadium. The upgrades being discussed included, new seats, a new lower bowl, and a roof over the seating area.Host committee Chairman Rodney Barreto, who recently met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, said the consensus is that South Florida won’t see another Super Bowl until the stadium gets a makeover.

“After halftime, the stadium was kind of empty – and it showed on TV,” Barreto said of the 2007 game. “I think that was very displeasing to them.”

Miami lost to New Orleans in its bid to host the 2013 game, he noted.

Cost and revenue sources for the project, which would also include new lighting and seats closer to the field, were not unveiled on Thursday.

On Monday, Barreto and others left open the possibility that tapping public money may be one way to upgrade the stadium.

“I think we need to look at all potential options, including the public-private option,” he said. “I think everything should be on the table.”

Bruce Colan, chairman of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and a member of the host committee’s executive board, said it would be best not to tap general revenue funds. Tourism bed taxes or creating a special taxation district may better solution, he said. Another possibility is to look to the state, he suggested.

“Over the years, stadiums have been getting better and better,” Colan said. “Our stadium is 22 years old. It’s no longer state of the art.”

South Florida Business Journal

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