MIAMI – A major makeover is coming to Miami Marine Stadium, as Gloria Estefan and other community leaders meet Thursday to talk about bringing the Miami International Boat Show to the famous Miami landmark.
The stadium has been closed for more than 20 years, but on Thursday, city leaders announced that it is getting a multimillion-dollar makeover and will be the new home of the annual boat show beginning in 2016.
The timing is most convenient as the boat show is usually held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, which is expected to undergo renovations in 2016.
Seven-time Grammy award-winning singer, Gloria Estefan and her husband, Emilio Estefan, have been the face of this project, and they are trying to raise $30 million for this makeover.
Local 10 News is told the power couple has already raised $15 million through private donations and grants.
Over the years, the stadium has been covered in graffiti, and the Estefans say they are actually going to try to salvage some of what they are calling street artwork.
"I have had the privilege of traveling the world and as was previously said, there is nothing like this anywhere, so it will be foolhardy of us to give up something so easily that makes us so unique," said Gloria Estefan.
A spokesperson for the Estefans told Local 10 News that the couple has pledged a half a million dollars to the project.
Besides the boat show, city officials hope the upgraded stadium will bring big musical acts and sporting events in the future.
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