Miami City Hall Commission Meeting – Marine Stadium Advocacy Alert

Advocacy Alert! DHT Needs Your Support!

Dade Heritage Trust has actively supported the preservation of the iconic Miami Marine Stadium for many years.  We continue to advocate for restoring and opening the Stadium as a great multi-purpose venue.  Both the Stadium and the beautiful basin in front of the Stadium are City of Miami designated historic sites and are to be preserved.  In fact, the City of Miami’s Master Plan for Virginia Key excludes any permanent impediments in the Basin, allowing it to be utilized as a public space for boaters, paddlers and rowing enthusiasts.

In 2015, the City of Miami issued a request for proposals (RFP) for new facilities on Virginia Key including a marina.  The winning bidder’s plan includes a substantial marina INSIDE the Basin which is in direct conflict with BOTH the historic designation AND the Master Plan.  This winning bid is the subject of a protest filed by another bidder although, the protest was filed for different reasons than the points outlined above.

Dade Heritage Trust’s position is that the entire RFP should be thrown out and re-written to include language informing potential bidders that historic designation and the Master Plan do not allow for boat slips within the Basin.

On Wednesday, June 22nd at 2pm, the City of Miami Commission is holding a special meeting to discuss these items and we need YOU to attend to support Dade Heritage Trust’s position.   The Miami Marine Stadium MUST be given every opportunity to become a viable, sustainable operation.  Preservation of the basin for activities in conjunction with the Stadium is crucial for its success, and for the protection of this area as a PUBLIC PARK FOR ALL, not a big boat marina!

We hope we can count on you to support this great cause.  Miami City Hall is at 3500 Pan American Drive in Coconut Grove.