Miami Marine Stadium inching closer to revival after decades of decay

A structure once filled with roaring boat engines and screaming fans could soon see new life.

City leaders are moving forward with plans to revive the historic Miami Marine Stadium on Virginia Key, an iconic but long-abandoned waterfront venue shuttered for more than 30 years.

Built in 1963 and located one-third over the water on Virginia Key, the iconic venue was shut down in 1992 after Hurricane Andrew. Since then, it has become a canvas for graffiti artists and a symbol of Miami’s lost potential. But supporters never gave up.

Commissioner Damian Pardo called the moment a “period of renewal for the city of Miami,” saying the stadium’s revival would mark a major step toward celebrating the city’s unique identity while positioning it for a global stage.

“I think this marks a period of owning the things that make it great and also moving it forward to the next step on a global scale,” Pardo added.

The city recently released new digital renderings showcasing a potential transformation: a vibrant, modern venue where major artists could once again headline concerts, surrounded by the shimmering waters of Biscayne Bay.

The nonprofit organization, Restore Marine Stadium, has worked for nearly two decades to bring attention and support to the site. But while past efforts have stalled, city leaders now say the project is gaining real momentum.

“What makes this project real is having a professional, successful, experienced operator run it, develop and financing plan and the city is doing that RFP now,” said Don Worth, of the Restore Marine Stadium Organization.

“If you have been, you know it’s a magical place,” he added. “And something that’s as great as this can be for the city of Miami deserves to be restored and operated.”

Past restoration efforts have stalled, but preservationists believe this time could be different. Architect renderings show a reimagined venue that honors its original design while upgrading it for modern events. The stadium was designated a historic landmark in 2008.

“It’s very iconic, it’s Miami — it’s right on the water — you have all this history of all these groups there,” said historic preservationist John Bachay. “Jimmy Buffett jumping into the barge — how can you beat that!”

Despite progress, the project still faces one final hurdle: voter approval. The city says any major redevelopment plan would need to be signed off by Miami residents in a future referendum.

A bidding window for potential operators is also closing and the city is reviewing proposals from groups hoping to and manage the stadium. The chosen operator will be tasked with turning the site into a financially viable venue while honoring its historical roots.

Michelle Headley remembers the stadium from her childhood and hopes to see it return to its former glory.

“The beautiful architecture in the background and people there and listening to music — it was just a really magical experience as a kid,” she said.

If approved, Miami Marine Stadium could once again be a thriving cultural destination — this time, with modern upgrades, a sustainable business model, and a renewed sense of purpose.