Since 1992 when Hurricane Andrew damaged Miami Marine Stadium, it’s sat covered in graffiti, while multiple studies had shown that the stadium remained structurally safe.
Preservationists began the campaign to restore the arena in 2008 and finally Miami voters approved the restoration funds in August.
The abandoned waterfront stadium was the first venue built for powerboat racing in the U. S. and was completed in 1963 on Virginia Key, Miami, Florida.
Designed by architect Hilario Candela, then a 28-year-old recent immigrant from Cuba, he set Miami Stadium’s grandstand on the north side of the causeway, so that spectators would have their backs to the sun while watching boat races in The basin.
From its opening for nearly 30 years the stadium was used for its intended water sports, as well as concerts, sporting events and was figured prominently. In the 1967 Elvis Presley film Clambake and TV’s Miami Vice.
Acts such as Queen, the WHO, Journey, The Beach Boys, America, Ray Charles Aretha Franklin, Gloria Estefan, Gregg Allman, Dave Brubeck, Steppenwolf, Tony Bennett and Sammy Davis Jr. packed the 6,500 seat arena.
Jimmy Buffett said “the first time I played it, I fell in love with it. How could you not? You’re on a floating stage surrounded by people and boats, and those incredible sunsets. It was such a unique place to play in”.
There was a space between the barge, which was the stage and the first seats in the grand stand. After two sweaty performances Buffett jumped from the stage into the water with cheering swimmers, boaters, surfers and floaters.
The year before his passing, Buffett wrote a letter to the. Miami officials urging them to “save the little cathedral of musical fun”.
The stadium was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2018.
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