Residents who live in the area of the Miami Marlins' new stadium will learn Thursday night whether the "Field of Dreams" will be their parking nightmare.
The Miami Parking Authority will be holding a community meeting tonight to introduce a new parking permit program for the people who live in the Little Havana neighborhood that surrounds the park.
"We've developed a facility that is state of the art but it's brand-new to this neighborhood, and so people have to be a little patient," said Art Noriega, CEO of the Miami Parking Authority. "And what will happen over time is people will get more and more accustomed to the process."
While the stadium seats some 37,000 fans, the ballpark's four parking garages and six lots accommodate less than 6,000 vehicles. Most of those spots are pre-sold and available to season ticket holders, players and the media.
Earlier Thursday, the team began selling single-game parking passes to the garages and lots, according to The Miami Herald.
A new City of Miami trolley system was unveiled to help get fans to and from the park as well, but many fans who attended last week's exhibition games against UM and FIU said the lack of spots and organization made it impossible to make it by first pitch.
The Miami Parking Authority, which manages the garages and lots, hasn't said what its plan is, but with Opening Day less than three weeks away, residents and fans are hoping for a working solution.
Thursday's meeting is open to the public and begins at 6 p.m. at the center field garage at 1402 Northwest 3rd Street.
