MIAMI -- Miami-Dade County commissioners showed strong support for building a new ballpark for the Florida Marlins at the Orange Bowl, if the University of Miami moves its football games to Dolphin Stadium.

Commissioners opposed a proposal to build the stadium on another 9-acre downtown site north of the county government center. So they voted 11-1 Tuesday to pursue a $490 million plan to finance a ballpark on a site to be determined.

The Orange Bowl in Little Havana was added to the list of potential locations, with that site receiving the strongest backing from commissioners. The city has not secured financing to renovate the stadium, and the Hurricanes are seriously considering a move to Dolphin Stadium.

"Let's hope and pray the Hurricanes do move to Dolphin Stadium and put the Marlins at the Orange Bowl," county Commissioner Joe Martinez said.

The Hurricanes have played their home games at the Orange Bowl since the historic venue first opened as Roddy Burdine Stadium in 1937.

Miami city commissioners are scheduled Thursday to discuss the ballpark plan, which calls for the Marlins to contribute $207 million, mostly in rent payments and to cover cost overruns.

The county, which would issue the bonds and own the 37,000-seat retractable roof stadium, would contribute $145 million in hotel bed taxes. The city would contribute $108 million in hotel bed and tourist development taxes.

The county, city and the Marlins all hope the state will approve a $60 million state sales tax rebate to cover the remainder.