MIAMI -- Miami Dolphins owner Joe Robbie has secured 160 acres of land in northwest Dade County for his ambitious plan to build a $90 million football stadium complex.
Metro-Dade County commissioners unanimously agreed Tuesday to accept 160 acres near Calder horseracing track donated by brothers Emil and Lawrence Morton.
The commission will lease the land back to Robbie at $1 a year for 99 years.
'I think this can't help but assist us with our marketing program,' said Dolphins attorney Robert Shevin. 'We now have the land on which to build the stadium.'
Shevin reported Robbie has sold about 25 percent of the $9 million worth of skybox and preferred seat leases needed to secure private financing for the stadium. Robbie has set for himself a Jan. 1 deadline to sign up the $9 million in leases.
The county lease gives Robbie, who did not attend the commission meeting, until Sept. 1, 1986 to begin construction of the 73,000-seat stadium and until Sept. 1, 1990 to open the stadium. If he fails to meet the deadlines, the land reverts to the Morton brothers, except for 23 acres which the county would retain.
Shevin said the deadline dates should be easy to meet. He said Robbie currently plans to begin construction next spring and to open the stadium in time for the 1987 National Football League season.
