My MiamiMegaplex idea (see website) came about to save the Miami Arena and to tie in a new baseball stadium with it and the existing MetroMover station. That was before it became known Cirque du Soleil was trying to strike a deal with the City of Miami Beach to establish a permanent location at the Jackie Gleason Theater. Except for the Cirque's request of approximately $80 million dollars of public money to make it a reality, it's not a bad idea. However, when I first heard about it, I immediately thought about the Miami Arena. Since Glenn Straub bought it in 2004 for $28 million dollars from the county (it cost tax payers $52.2 million in 1988), nothing has really been done with it. Aside from the fact that the arena could easily adapt the Cirque's unique tents to its shape through stressed canopy construction, the Arena already sits in the City of Miami's designated entertainment district. Having a permanent Cirque du Soleil in downtown Miami would offer another reason for cruise ships to make Miami a destination instead of just a point of departure. Think about it: bringing tourists and their dollars into Miami gives them, among other options, a chance to see a Cirque show at the arena or a ballet or a symphony or an opera or a Broadway musical at the Performing Arts Center. Not too shabby. At least it beats a stop over in the Bahamas at the straw market-- or any other destination I can think of. That's my opinion. What's yours?
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