Will public have a say in Marine Stadium Basin's future?

Does the land around the Marine Stadium belong to the public? And will it have a say in what happens there in the future?

The Friends of Miami Marine Stadium announced this week that University of Miami students in Town Planning, Finance and Land Use Planning classes will be looking at alternative plans and designs for the Marine Stadium and the land around it. That is, an alternative to the Oct. 2009 proposed master plan, which was deferred by City officials until May 2010.

A showing of the students' work will go on display in late March to be followed by a planning charrette where members of the public can provide their feedback. The exhibition is part of Dade Heritage Days. *

Will the students treat the publicly owned waterfront land as a private development? If so, the highest and best uses for valuable waterfront land might very well be a hotels, shopping centers and “signature” restaurants.

But this is not a private development. The land is owned by the community. And it was given to the City of Miami for the use of “a Marine Stadium and allied purposes only,” according the 1963 Deed.

The County Deed states that if that purpose was “abandoned,” the County retained the right to take the land back.

Perhaps someone in 1963 foresaw the day when the land where the Marine Stadium sits would be coveted by private developers or be steered away from community purposes.

As early as 1967, there was a movement to introduce pari-mutual boat racing, according to news reports.

A Miami News Editorial responded: “Keep the Gamblers Out of Marine Stadium.”

“(T)he stadium, an attractive one-of-a-kind structure, is designed for the enjoyment of the community....It seems more logical to turn the Marine stadium into a public park, with picnic tables, barbeque pits, and swimming areas to accommodate the public. Perhaps a combination park-stadium would enable the city to recover some of its finances...Open the doors, just keep the bettors out.”

And keep the hotels, shopping centers and and entertainment strips out, too.

It’s not South Beach. Or Bayside. Or Las Vegas. But does it have to be?
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*Miami Marine Stadium/Virginia Key Planning Charrette
Saturday, March 27, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Rusty Pelican Restaurant, 3201 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne For more info, call Dade Heritage Trust, 305-358-9572
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Photo: Marine Stadium and basin land as it appears today.

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