The City of Miami has begun restoration on the Miami Marine Stadium built in 1963 by Cuban-American architect Hilario Candela.

For the project’s first phase, partial pile restoration and a portion of the stadium seating which extends over the water is being repaired with grants from Miami Dade County and the Florida Inland Navigation District Commission. The pilings are critical as they support the structure and are the most damaged components of the building.

In addition, a feasibility study for future use of the stadium has been commissioned by the City of Miami and is projected to be complete in the next few months.

The entire Marine Stadium restoration project, estimated at $60 million, could take two years to complete.

You showed support for the restoration of Miami Marine Stadium when we needed it most, and today we have great news to share—the stadium has been added to the National Register of Historic Places!

Maintained by the National Park Service, the National Register is the government's official list of places and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their extraordinary historic and cultural significance. Inclusion on the register is considered an honor, and there are tens of thousands of listings across the country, including beloved Miami-area landmarks like Coral Gables City Hall, the Fontainebleau Hotel, and the Venetian Causeway.

This is another huge step forward for Miami Marine Stadium, and it speaks to what we've believed all along—this place is unlike any other place in the world, and should be recognized and celebrated as such.

The National Trust would like to thank Dade Heritage Trust, the City of Miami, and the Division of Historical Resources of the Florida Department of State for championing the stadium’s nomination. We’d also like to extend a thank-you to you as a supporter of our work and as an advocate for this very special place.

Together, we truly are saving places.

We are thrilled to announce some very exciting news: today the Miami City Commission approved $45 million in special obligation bonds that will be dedicated to the restoration of Miami Marine Stadium, as well as other projects and improvements on its surrounding site.

In a 3 to 0 vote, the commission supported bringing the stadium – shuttered since Hurricane Andrew in 1992 – back to life as a vibrant cultural and entertainment venue.

In testimony provided to the commission, Stephanie Meeks, President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said:

Chartered by Congress in 1949, the National Trust has over 65 years of experience preserving historic places across the United States. So we know firsthand that preservation is rarely straightforward; it is hard work that requires vision, patience, and creativity. We also know that it takes time.

That is why we founded our flagship program, National Treasures – a portfolio of iconic buildings, landscapes, and communities across the country. All are integral to the story of America, and all face unique challenges that can be difficult to resolve. That is why for each National Treasure, we make a deep, long-term commitment to find a preservation solution that will stand the test of time.

When we named Miami Marine Stadium a National Treasure in 2012, our goal was to ensure that future generations will be able to experience this remarkable place – one that captures the spirit of South Florida like no other structure. That is why we are so happy to see Resolution 12 on today’s agenda, as it represents the critical financial commitment needed to bring the stadium back to life as the focal point of Virginia Key.

As you know, we recently completed a successful crowdfunding campaign in partnership with Heineken USA to raise $110,000 in grassroots restoration funding from nearly 800 small-dollar local donors. Additionally, since last year’s Boat Show, we have collected over 4,000 petition signatures from stadium supporters who hope this unique structure will soon undergo the stunning reinvention we all envision.

It is my belief that both of these endeavors indicate that public support for this project is not only strong, but growing.

As you discuss how the City of Miami will usher the stadium into its next chapter, please know that the National Trust’s commitment remains unchanged. We fully support the resolution before you today and stand ready to work with you to make this restoration a reality.

Please stay tuned for more exciting updates as this project progresses!