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Miami Marine Stadium Restoration Project

22 January 2020
Artist rendering of the restored Miami Marine Stadium

JMS was selected by R.J. Heisenbottle Architects of Coral Gables, FL to design a floating platform to be used for concert performances at the Miami Marine Stadium in Miami South Channel, Miami, FL.

The Ralph M. Munroe Marine Stadium, also known as the Miami Marine Stadium (MMS), built in 1963, is the first stadium purpose-built for powerboat racing in the United States. Other world class and nationally televised special event races, water sports, sporting events, and concerts were also held at MMS. It has recently been nominated for addition to the National Register of Historic Places. Heisenbottle is performing a phased historical restoration of the stadium property including the return of a floating stage for concert performances.

Speedboat racing at the Miami Marine Stadium in 1964

JMS is providing design, engineering, and consultation services for the floating stage component of the MMS. The floating support platform consists of two barges arranged side-by-side; a 140’ x 57’-6′ frontstage barge is for performances and faces the shore-based stadium, and a 140’ x 57’-6’ backstage barge provides accommodations, offices, and storage spaces for performers, performance crew, and barge operations crew. The loading and offloading of performance equipment and other large items to and from the nearby shore property is facilitated by two custom designed gangways which also support the shore power and other utility connections. One 208 V, 400 A shore power feed supplies power for non-performance operations while 5 additional 208 V, 400 A shore power feeds supply power for the demands of live performances with significant lighting and AV demands.

JMS worked closely with Heisenbottle and with their specialized consultants (MEP, audio/visual, and theatre consultants) to define all the requirements of the floating platform and so that initial sizing, structure, stability, systems, power source/generation, outfitting, regulatory, construction, delivery/installation considerations, and other initial design decisions could be evaluated for feasibility. JMS developed the complete design of the floating platform including detailed structural plans, systems arrangements, mooring arrangement, gangway design, accommodation outfitting, joinery, HVAC system, and other detailed systems and designs. JMS is also providing bidding support and permitting consultation, and owner’s representation services during the platform’s construction, delivery, installation, and testing.

[Check out our other barge designs here]