MIAMI — Miami city commissioners will consider placing two items on the ballot for voter approval during a special meeting on Friday.
The items, set to be discussed at 10 a.m. at Miami City Hall, relate to the long-shuttered Miami Marine Stadium and the city’s elections.
Miami Marine Stadium
Commissioners are set to discuss whether voters should weigh in on “an agreement with Global Spectrum for the operation and management of Miami Marine Stadium and Flex Park.”
A structure once filled with roaring boat engines and screaming fans could soon see new life. If approved, Miami Marine Stadium could once again be a thriving cultural destination — this time, with modern upgrades, a sustainable business model, and a renewed sense of purpose.
“It’s very iconic, it’s Miami — it’s right on the water — you have all this history of all these groups there,” said historic preservationist John Bachay. “Jimmy Buffett jumping into the barge — how can you beat that!”
The project still faces one final hurdle: voter approval. City officials say any major redevelopment plan would need to be signed off by Miami residents in a future referendum.
Built in 1963 and located one-third over the water on Virginia Key, the iconic venue was shut down in 1992 after Hurricane Andrew.
Since then, it has become a canvas for graffiti artists and a symbol of Miami’s lost potential. But supporters never gave up.
In April, the city released new digital renderings showcasing a potential transformation: a vibrant, modern venue where major artists could once again headline concerts, surrounded by the shimmering waters of Biscayne Bay.
Local 10 News reporter Christina Vazquez has requested a copy of the draft agreement, but it has not yet been released as of the publication of this article.
Moving municipal elections
After yet another legal loss, Miami commissioners on Friday will discuss placing on the ballot for voter approval, “a Charter amendment to move municipal elections to even-numbered years.”
This comes in the wake of mayoral candidate and former City Manager Emilio Gonzalez’s resounding legal victory.
He filed suit after Miami commissioners decided in a 3-2 vote on June 26 to move November’s election of commission and mayoral candidates from odd to even years.
Proponents said having municipal elections aligned with state and federal elections could boost voter turnout.
Some critics argued the change felt like a power grab, allowing elected officials to stay in office an additional year without voter approval.
In a blistering letter sent ahead of the City’s June vote, Florida’s attorney general warned city officials that based on his interpretation of Miami’s Charter, the Miami-Dade County Charter, and the state constitution, moving the date of elections without a public vote on the issue would be unconstitutional adding, “home to thousands of patriotic Cuban-Americans who know better than most about regimes that cavalierly delay elections and prolong their terms in power, the City of Miami owes to its citizens what the law requires.”
District 3 Commissioner Joe Carollo and District 1 Commissioner Miguel Gabela voted against the measure.
In his lawsuit, Gonzalez asked a court to void the ordinance, which he argued disenfranchises voters and candidates.
A judge sided with Gonzalez on July 21 after Gonzalez’s legal team contended that the city’s vote to postpone the election could only be done by Miami voters.
While critics have pointed out that such a move buys current elected officials, like term-limited Mayor Francis Suarez, an extra year in office, Suarez said moving the elections would “save millions of dollars for the citizens” and believes such a move would increase turnout from 15% to 70%, which he described as “healthy for democracy” and “good for the city.”
“We feel confident that the trial court made a mistake and that the third DCA (District Court of Appeal) will reverse that decision,” he said.
It did not.
In court, attorneys representing the city continued to argue that the commission is lawfully able to move its candidate elections from odd to even years without a public vote — because it was an amendment to an ordinance, not its city charter.
On several occasions, the three-judge panel pushed back on the city’s reasoning —one described it as a “semantic sleight of hand.”
The city lost its appeal and then, most recently, the appeals court declined the city’s request to re-litigate the case before all the judges on the appeals court.
In a statement to Local 10 News on Wednesday, District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo, who championed the original June 26 vote that led to the litigation, said in part, “From the very beginning, I have believed that the foundation of a stronger, more accountable government is built when voter turnout is at its highest. True democracy thrives when the people, not special interests, decide the outcome. That is why I am sponsoring the agenda item to place on the November ballot, a measure asking voters whether to move City of Miami elections to even years, beginning in 2032 and 2034.
“This change ensures fairness, and no commissioner will automatically gain an extra year in office. Instead, the decision will rest where it belongs: with the voters.”
On social media platform X, Gonzalez stated, “I sued the City of Miami and WON. Now, every Miami voter will have their say this November. Democracy is not negotiable!”
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez released a statement to Local 10 News on Thursday morning:
“With Friday’s decision, the courts have now affirmed the primacy of the Miami-Dade County charter in matters of election scheduling for all municipalities in the county. In light of this, and to honor the will of the people, I called for a special commission meeting this Friday. Our purpose is to place a measure on the upcoming municipal ballot, allowing voters to decide whether our elections should be moved to align with the statewide elections in November of the even years in order to save the taxpayers millions of dollars, as well as to increase voter participation significantly.”
Regardless of what commissioners decide on Friday, the November ballot will also feature questions about term limits and the creation of a citizens’ redistricting committee.
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