Stadium Renovation Moves Forward
Project roadmap approved based on engineering study by Simpson Gumpertz & Heger which shows that costs are lower than predicted for Miami Marine Stadium.
WALTHAM, Mass. - Aug. 10, 2010 - Miami City Commission recently approved the Virginia Key master plan which includes the restoration of the Miami Marine Stadium. The approval comes as a result from the work of the Friends of Miami Marine Stadium and an engineering study by Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. (SGH) stating that the costs of the concrete restoration for the waterside outdoor venue are lower than previous estimates.
According to the SGH study, concrete restoration for the stadium, located on Virginia Key, range from $5.5 to $8.5 million, depending upon the protective measures selected to slow further deterioration.
Designed by Cuban-born architect Hilario Candela in 1964, the 6,566-seat stadium is built entirely of poured concrete and features a dramatically cantilevered hyperbolic paraboloid roof. The stadium is on the 2010 Watch List of endangered sites of the World Monuments Fund and the 2009 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list of the National Trust For Historic Preservation.
Before 1992, the stadium was used for powerboat races and concerts including shows headlined by Jimmy Buffet. Following Hurricane Andrew in 1992, SGH evaluated the structure in 1993 and found that the stadium was in relatively good shape and not damaged by the hurricane. Jack Meyer of Dignum Engineering, who participated in the first design of the stadium, assisted SGH by supplying a complete set of engineering plans.
For the past 45 years, the stadium has been exposed to the marine environment, which caused reinforcement corrosion and subsequent delamination and spalling of many concrete elements. SGH's recommendations include concrete repairs as well as corrosion mitigation. For the complete study, please visit the Friends of the Miami Marine Stadium website at www.marinestadium.org.
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Media Contact: Franceen Shaughnessy, Corporate Marketing Specialist, fashaughnessy@sgh.com, (781) 907-9114
About Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc.
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. (SGH) is a national engineering firm that designs, investigates, and rehabilitates structures and building enclosures. Our award-winning work encompasses building, nuclear, transportation, water/wastewater, and science/defense projects throughout the United States and in more than 30 other countries.
SGH has offices in Boston, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit www.sgh.com.
About Friends of Marine Stadium
The Friends of the Marine Stadium is a coalition of individuals and organizations organized under the administrative umbrella of Dade Heritage Trust that was formed in the spring of 2008. The objective of the group is to restore and return the Miami Marine Stadium. www.marinestadium.org