As both Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami mull over proposals for development of Virginia Key, the words of the stadium architect, Hilario Candela, captured in July 1993 in a letter to the Miami-Dade Commission, are prescient.
He was writing to commissioners to save the stadium from demolition at a time the City of Miami was facing economic difficulties and wanted to raze the stadium to make way for commercial development of the area.
In the letter, Candela refers to the "economic equation" that might be used to justify razing the stadium.
That same equation has returned-- with a slight twist. The stadium is not slated for demolition for now but pressure exists to introduce commercial development of public lands surrounding the stadium as a way to both pay for its restoration as well as provide a quick fix to solve budget shortfalls.
How far will it go? And what is the real cost of giving away public lands? In 1993, Candela urged that we not give up what is uniquely ours:
As the architect of the facility, both on a personal and professional level, I would be extremely disappointed to see this landmark razed primarily because the "economic equation" didn't work. It seems to me that there must be other creative ways we can take advantage of this unique facility, ways that could improve the financial picture to the City and its taxpayers as well as enhancing the quality of life of citizens by the concerts, shows and special events which could take place at the Marine Stadium. In a City and County where we have too few civic structures which have been preserved, it would be a shame to lose a facility that has been the center of so many happy memories for so many people.
...(T)he people of Miami and the surrounding communities need a structure like the Marine Stadium. Its very existence celebrates the public assembly of the various cultures that make up our unique community along the waterfront. It is this celebration of the waterfront and its various recreational activities that define us, not only in this community, but in truth throughout the entire world. It is synonymous with Miami and an intrinsic part of our community. It is my belief that the destruction of the Marine Stadium would accomplish the exact opposite of what we are trying to accomplish. We need to accentuate our uniqueness not whittle away our heritage.
Video: Great shots of Miami Marine Stadium, today and in its heyday.
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