WSVN Television Channel 7 Heliport

Primarily economic reasons. WSVN joined a helicopter-sharing consortium (Local News Service) with other major Miami news outlets (WTVJ, WPLG, WFOR) to drastically reduce the high operational, insurance, and maintenance costs associated with a dedicated, privately-owned news helicopter and its on-site heliport.

The site remains part of the WSVN Channel 7 television station property in North Bay Village. The physical concrete helipad, which is situated on a pier extending over Biscayne Bay, still exists. However, it is no longer certified or used for aviation. The area is now repurposed for other station functions, such as satellite dish placement, equipment staging, vehicle parking, or as an outdoor patio space for employees.

The heliport was the base for WSVN's famous news helicopters, initially 'Sky 7' and later 'Skyforce 7'. It was a critical asset for the station's aggressive breaking news coverage, providing live aerial footage of major events like police chases, traffic congestion, fires, and hurricane damage across South Florida. Its location directly at the station allowed for rapid deployment, giving WSVN a competitive advantage in the fast-paced local news market. The heliport's history is also marked by the tragic crash of the 'Sky 7' helicopter on May 7, 1990, which killed the pilot and a news photographer.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the heliport. The industry-wide operational model has firmly shifted to cost-effective, shared helicopter services. Re-establishing a private, single-station heliport would be economically and logistically impractical in the current media landscape.