Miami’s historic Marine Stadium, closed since it was condemned in 1992, may be in for a revival – finally. But it’s been a long time coming.
The 6,566-seat stadium opened in 1963 as a venue for powerboat racing, and then special events. Located on Virginia Key and accessible by Rickenbacker Causeway, it offered spectacular views of downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay. The stadium was designed by Hilario Candela, then 27 and a Cuban immigrant, and featured a 326-foot-long cantilevered roof, supported by eight slanted columns. It was the longest span of cantilevered concrete in the world at the time.
And it was a big success. Hydroplane racing was big then, and it was occasionally fatal. One racer, James Tapp, was killed on opening day. Four others died over the years. The last major race at the stadium was the annual Budweiser Hydroplane Regatta in 1990.
The stadium also was a venue for concerts and special events. Mitch Miller and Jimmy Buffett appeared there; so did Sammy Davis, Jr., with Richard Nixon. But the stadium was declared unsafe after Hurricane Andrew in 1992. It has been closed ever since, although graffiti artists have managed to leave their imprint on the seats and walls.
In 2008, a local group, the Friends of Miami Marine Stadium, tried to restore the stadium; Gloria Estefan was a major contributor. Proposals were raised, and shelved. The Miami boat show moved next door for a few years. The stadium was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018, and the city approved a $45 million bond issue to fund the renovation.
The city now is working with architects and local groups, including Hilario Candela himself, and it expects to approve final plans in a few months. The city also is planning a multi-use flex park in the area around the stadium, as well as a possible maritime center. Stay tuned. Read more:
https://www.si.com/more-sports/2021/02/19/miami-marine-stadium-revival
