Virginia Key

Miami Preservation Architect To Design Miami Marine Stadium Renovation

The Abandoned Miami Marine Stadium

The Abandoned Miami Marine Stadium

Preservation architect Richard Heisenbottle has been chosen by Miami city officials to design the renovation of the abandoned Miami Marine Stadium, according to The Miami Herald.

Heisenbottle and his team have restored Miami City Hall and the Olympia Theater. 

Part of the renovation design will include structural repairs with lighting, sound and seating repairs. The original architect, Hilario Candela will be a special consultant on the project. 

The city has not developed financing or operating plans for the $37 million renovation. 

The Miami International Boat Show recently used the grounds and basin of the stadium for their event in February. After the show was completed the grounds were supposed to be used as a "flex park", but that has not happened. The grounds of the stadium have been paved over and is currently empty. 

Below are recent photos of the abandoned Miami Marine Stadium.

Bids Submitted To Expand Virginia Key Marina

Virginia Key Marina

Three bids have been submitted to the City of Miami to redevelop Virginia Key Marina, according to The Miami Herald.

Part of the bids would be to increase the wet slips from 198 to 498, build a public boat ramp and pay $3.45 million towards a 45,000 square foot public garage. The restaurant Rusty Pelican is the only part of the 53 acres that won't need to be redeveloped. The base rent will be $2.15 million a year, plus a percentage of gross sales.

Miami International Boat Show Prepping For Event At Marine Stadium (Photos)

Miami International Boat Show Prepping For Event At Marine Stadium (Photos)

A year ago, the City of Miami gave approval for the Miami International Boat Show to hold their event at the Miami Marine Stadium. With the Boat Show slated for February, workers are prepping for the event at the Miami Marine Stadium on Virginia Key. Floating docks are being installed in front of the stadium while more than 1,000 pilings are being placed in the water of the basin. Tents have been  erected on the grounds of the stadium on what used to be the parking lot.

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Aerial Over The Abandoned Miami Marine Stadium

Earlier this year the City of Miami agreed to pay $16 million to improve the grounds outside the Miami Marine Stadium, which will include an event space and park. These improvements will allow the Miami International Boat Show to host their event on the stadium grounds starting in 2016. 

Despite renovations to the grounds of the Stadium, nothing is happening with the actual Miami Marine Stadium itself. It still remains covered in graffiti and patrolled by a guard 24/7 to prevent people from trespassing. Millions of funding is still needed to renovate the stadium. 

Below is a video of the Miami Marine Stadium.

 

Photos Of Miami Marine Stadium Land Improvements

Miami Marine Stadium

Miami Marine Stadium

On February 10, construction began at the Miami Marine Stadium site to improve the grounds around the stadium. Workers have already removed a lot of the trees and fencing on the site. The price for the grounds renovations, which will include event space and a park will cost $18 million. 

The Miami International Boat Show will be held at the stadium grounds starting in 2016 on is on a year to year lease. 

Miami Commissioners are looking for an architectural and engineering firm to design the stadium restoration, which would come at a cost of about $37.8 million, according to the Miami Herald

The Village of Key Biscayne is suing the City of Miami and the Boat Show for fear that events held at the stadium will only increase traffic going in and out of Key Biscayne. 

An aerial video of the stadium can be seen here.

City Of Miami Gives Go Ahead For Boat Show At Miami Marine Stadium

Miami Marine Stadium With Downtown Miami In The Distance

On Thursday, the City of Miami Commissioners voted to pay $16 million over the next year to improve the grounds outside the Miami Marine Stadium according to the Miami Herald. This was done so that the Stadium will be able to host the Miami International Boat Show starting in 2016.

The boat show will pay the city $1.1 million per year plus 50% in any parking and concession fees.

The boat show will remain at the Stadium until 2017, but afterwards there is uncertainty. 

An aerial video of the Stadium can be seen here.

An Aerial Tour Of The Abandoned Miami Marine Stadium

The Miami Marine Stadium has been abandoned since 1992 after Hurricane Andrew. City officials deemed the building to be structurally unsafe and ordered it closed. The stadium was used for boat races and concerts such as Gloria Estefan and Jimmy Buffett.

While the stadium has sat abandoned for twenty two years, it has become a haven for graffiti artists who have used the stadium walls as a canvas to display their work.

Friends of Miami Marine Stadium are working towards raising money and restoring the stadium for future use. They can be contacted at their website.