March 3 or 4, 2022
The Dolphin Company takes ownership of Miami Seaquarium through its subsidiary MS Leisure, with two outstanding Repair or Demolish orders in place, both inherited from the park’s prior owner, Festival Fun Parks (dba Palace Entertainment) – for the Whale Bowl killer whale (orca) stadium and the Golden Dome sea lion stadium. As of date of this post (June 14, 2023), both cases remain open. Date discrepancy is due to two conflicting sources. The Dolphin Company press release on March 4 lists that date as when the company took control of the property. A correspondence between NOAA officials and The Dolphin Company legal council obtained via FOIA confirms a March 3 date for change of ownership.
October 21, 2022
Complaint is received for “Columns and beams added without permits. Spalling and cracking at walls and beams.” Four photos from an earlier case, filed during Festival Fun Parks ownership on August 13, 2021, for “Corridor A / 8-11(a)Violation(s): Walls cracking and Concrete spalling of walls and columns” are added to new case file.
November 1, 2022
Damage Assessment Form is filed: “STRUC-A IS A 43,665-SF 3-STORY AQUARIUM BUILDING HOUSING A DOLPHIN TANK, REEF TANK, AND MULTIPLE SMALLER AQUARIUM TANKS…STRUCTURAL DAMAGE WAS OBSERVED IN THE PUBLIC/GUEST CORRIDORS AND MAINTENANCE CORRIDOR KNOW AS “CORRIDOR-A”…DAMAGES INCLUDE: CRACKS TO COLUMNS AND SPALLED CONCRETE WITH EXPOSED REBARS IN THE MAINTENANCE CORRIDOR AND SPALLED CONCRETE WITH EXPOSED REBARS THAT WAS PAINTED OVER IN THE PUBLIC/GUEST CORRIDORS…IN ADDITION, DAMAGED/DETERIORATED EXTERIOR DOOR NEEDS REPLACEMENT…ENGINEER LETTER STATING BUILDING IS SAFE FOR CURRENT USE AND OCCUPANCY IS REQUIRED…”
December 22, 2022
Engineer report for November compliance “not received yet. However, it will be addressed when permit drawings are submitted.”
Feb 21, 2023
“Permit not obtained – Notice of Violation non-compliance”
Feb 22, 2023
Notice of Violation sent to Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Courts for recording
PHOTOS FROM MIAMI-DADE UNSAFE STRUCTURES BOARD CASE FILE
February 28, 2023
Repair or demolish order recorded with four counts.
- 9003 There is a falling away, hanging loose or loosening of siding, block, brick, or other building material: SEC 8-5(b)(21) Code of Miami-Dade County and the Florida Building Code.
- 9004 Deteriorated structure or structural parts. SEC 8-5(b)((2)(ii) Code of Miami-Dade County and the Florida Building Code.
- 9009 Fire or windstorm hazard. SEC 8-5(a)(2) Code of Miami-Dade County and the Florida Building Code.
- 9015 Dangerous to human life and welfare. SEC 8-5(a)(2) Code of Miami-Dade County and the Florida Building Code.
May 22, 2023
Notice of hearing posted on structure
June 21, 2023
Unsafe Structures Board hearing scheduled on Seaquarium dolphin stadium structure.
