MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (WSVN) — Miami Dolphins CEO took the media on a tour of Sun Life Stadium on Friday, the same day state legislature pushed back the hearing for the stadium's proposed renovations.
Miami Dolphins CEO Mike Dee pointed out peeling paint, rust and what he said is the need for modernization at Sun Life Stadium.
The Miami Dolphins have long maintained the stadium needs upgrades, such as improved lighting, a canopy and better seating to attract Super Bowls and major sporting events to South Florida.
This is happening at a crucial time, where the team is trying to place the issue on the ballot for Miami-Dade County voters to decide on May 14th.
Nevertheless, Dolphins CEO is not worried. "I'm very optimistic. I'm optimistic by nature," said Dees.
The Dolphins need the state's approval to place the issue in the hands of voters. The Dolphins will pay 70 percent of the 350 million price tag to modernize Sun Life Stadium. The other 30 percent will come from a hotel tax and a sales tax exemption.
However, the team experienced a setback on Friday, when the House did not hear the bill. Both sides in Tallahassee discussed the issue. "They're down to five days. They're running out of time. Time is definitely on the tax payer's side," said Florida Rep. Carlos Trujillo (R) Miami.
"There's still some ray of hope and I'm hoping that we'll all accept everything at the end of the day," said Florida Rep. Dwayne Taylor (D) Daytona Beach.
The Dolphins have hopes that the Senate will draft its own version and the House will hear it next week. Dee is not discouraged. "We're very confident that we're going to emerge in Tallahassee with a legislation that works and enables the voters to decide," he said.
There is a timetable as the session in Tallahassee ends on Friday.
Early voting for the May 14th special election begins on Monday.
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