Miami’s historic marine stadium, a masterpiece of midcentury Brutalist architecture, has been closed since 1992. The stadium, which hosted speedboat races and concerts by Jimmy Buffett, may be restored to its former glory if voters approve a referendum to partner with a private company.

History of the Stadium

The stadium was designed by Cuban refugee Hilario Candela and opened in 1963. It was the backdrop for Elvis Presley’s 1967 film ‘Clambake’ and hosted Easter sunrise services and celebrations of Our Lady of Charity. The stadium has a rich history in Miami and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Jimmy Buffett, who performed at the stadium in 1985, wrote a letter to Miami officials in 2022, urging them to save the ‘little cathedral of musical fun.’ His daughter, Savannah, continues to work with Restore Miami Marine Stadium, a group that has been working to save the stadium since 2008.

Restoration Plans

The private company, Breakwater Hospitality Group, plans to develop the stadium’s large parking area into a flex park with public recreational facilities and a special events space. The city would collect revenue from events to fund the stadium repairs and upgrades, while paying the company a management fee.

Miami Commissioner Damian Pardo said the referendum would allow the city to enter into a management agreement with the private company. The total cost of the project has not been determined, but Pardo insisted it would not be borne by taxpayers.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.