City moves one step closer to finalizing Miami Marine Stadium deal
After years of fits and starts, the city of Miami has selected an operator to restore and run the shuttered Miami Marine Stadium, paving the way for the architectural landmark on Virginia Key to once again be used as a concert and performance venue.
In a video published to social media Friday, City Manager Art Noriega called the stadium a “gem within the city of Miami.”
“We’re finally at a point where we have a plan and a trajectory for the renovation of Miami Marine Stadium, that incredible historic venue,” Noriega said.
In January, Miami issued a public solicitation for a private operator to run the historic but aging architectural landmark. The city said Friday that it had selected Global Spectrum L.P. to be the operator.
The city did not provide further details about the development plans Friday.
In a memo Thursday, Mayor Francis Suarez called for a special meeting next week to approve a ballot question asking voters to OK an operating and management agreement with Global Spectrum.
Suarez called for a special meeting on Sept. 4 — the day before the deadline for sending referendums to the Nov. 4 ballot. Suarez, who is termed out at the end of the year, has previously said he wanted to secure the Marine Stadium’s future as a legacy-defining project.
Three out of five city commissioners will need to green-light the mayor’s request to send the question to the Nov. 4 ballot. Voter approval is required for the redevelopment deal to go through.
“This is something I think we’re all gonna be incredibly proud of in a few years once it’s completed,” Noriega said in the video.
Miami Herald staff writer Andres Viglucci contributed to this report.
.jpg)