Residents of Miami are about to decide the fate of a historic landmark in South Florida: the Miami Marine Stadium. Closed since 1992, this iconic venue will be the subject of a special referendum scheduled for August 18, as reported by Telemundo 51.
On the ballot as item 172, the proposal seeks to amend the city charter to allow a management contract of up to 40 years with Global Spectrum L.P., a subsidiary of Oak View Group, to oversee the stadium and the surrounding area known as "Flex Park."
Emi Guerra, co-founder of Breakwater Hospitality Group, emphasized the significance of the vote: "This will be a place for the public, the residents, and we need everyone to vote 'yes' on 172 in August to breathe new life into the stadium."
City Commissioner Damian Pardo, who spearheaded the effort before the City Commission, detailed the contract's structure: "It would involve a 40-year agreement; the first five years would focus on generating revenue and stabilizing income to create a special bond of $65 to $85 million for a full restoration of the stadium. The plans and permits are ready; it's up to the voters to support this initiative."
Under the agreement, the city would receive 93% of the gross revenue from events, 85% from sponsorship income, and up to $10 million earmarked for restoration costs.
Ricardo López, director at the architecture firm RJ Heisenbottl, explained the current condition of the stadium: "This modern architectural gem, constructed from concrete and steel, is built on the waterfront and over the sea; structural repairs are needed as the steel is severely corroded."
The stadium, opened in December 1963 on Virginia Key, was designed by Cuban exile architect Hilario Candela, born in Havana in 1934. He fled Cuba in 1960, and his 326-foot cantilevered concrete roof—99 meters without a single column—was the longest in the world at its time. Candela passed away on January 18, 2022, in Coral Gables at the age of 87, without witnessing the restoration of his creation.
For nearly three decades, the venue hosted speedboat races, concerts by the Beach Boys, Ray Charles, Whitney Houston, and Jimmy Buffett, as well as a rally by President Richard Nixon in 1972. It was closed after Hurricane Andrew, although subsequent engineering studies confirmed that the structure was not actually damaged.
Previous restoration efforts have been numerous but unsuccessful. In 2018, a $42 million plan was announced but never materialized.
In September 2025, another attempt failed when then-CEO of Oak View Group, Tim Leiweke, was charged with alleged bid-rigging in Texas. OVG paid $15 million in penalties, and Leiweke was pardoned by President Trump in December 2025, allowing the process to resume.
Even singer Gloria Estefan, who performed there in the 1980s with the Miami Sound Machine, led a campaign in 2013 to revive the venue.
"The Miami Marine Stadium is a beautiful and unique place. I'm excited to work with the National Trust & Friends of Miami Marine to restore it and make it as beautiful and important as it once was," the artist stated in a press release.
At that time, the proposed plan included renovating the structure, creating a maritime center, museum, and waterfront park as a public space for concerts, triathlons, boat races, festivals, shows, and community events.
Don Worth, an advocate for the stadium's preservation, summed up the primary argument for its restoration: "There's nothing like it in the world; it would be an amazing outdoor venue that would bring joy to residents; it's a landmark, a symbol of Miami."
The deadline to register for the referendum is July 20, and early voting will take place from August 3 to 16.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Miami Marine Stadium Referendum
What is the Miami Marine Stadium Referendum about?
The referendum seeks approval for a management contract amendment to allow Global Spectrum L.P. to manage the Miami Marine Stadium for up to 40 years, enabling its restoration and reopening.
When will the referendum take place?
The special referendum for the Miami Marine Stadium is scheduled for August 18.
Who designed the Miami Marine Stadium?
The stadium was designed by Cuban exile architect Hilario Candela, who was born in Havana in 1934 and fled to the United States in 1960.