Miami Arena being demolished
Miami Arena being demolished after years of inactivity; owner says end could come in two weeks By Scott E. Pacheco The Miami Arena could be demolished within two weeks and its Northwest First Avenue site cleared within a month, says building owner Glenn Straub. And while talk circulates of a first-class soundstage or a home for Cirque du Soleil, Mr. Straub is waiting on perhaps the biggest catch: the Florida Marlins. "Once we get it leveled we'd like to pursue the baseball," Mr. Straub said. Demolition crews from BG Group LLC have been clearing the arena's interior for "several months," leaving just the outer shell. Mr. Straub said outside walls will be brought down without using explosives. Mr. Straub, a Palm Beach businessman, bought the arena in 2004 for $28 million. The arena, built in 1988 for $52.2 million, was home to the Miami Heat and Florida Panthers. Both moved out and the city eventually sold the building at auction to Mr. Straub.