MIAMI – Along downtown Miami’s Flagler Street, photographers Judina Amazon and Tony Ozegovich snapped photos Wednesday of the city’s new rising development projects and historic gems, like the city-owned Olympia Theater.
“Honestly, having this in the center, like of downtown, I think attracts a lot of people to want to participate more in like community events and the arts,” Ozegovich said.
The theater, at 174 E. Flagler St., opened to screen silent movies in 1926. Actor Sylvester Stallone fought to keep it open in the late 1990s.
Now, a century after it opened, the city may be choosing to sell the historic performing arts center with a quit claim deed to the Pitbull-founded SLAM Academy charter school — which would restore, manage and operate the property as an education facility.
Local 10 News asked the city to confirm its proposed resolution means it will earn $0 in revenue from the sale of its building. A spokesperson responded, saying that it is “too premature to answer.”
“Answers like that smell of a rotten bro deal,” former City Commissioner Ken Russell, a current candidate for mayor, told Local 10 News, calling the timing “uncanny.”
City resolution:
Calling the proposal a “no-bid giveaway,” Russell explained, “When the department (that) is meant to be putting this deal together doesn’t have those sorts of answers and it’s already coming to commission, that means this is coming with political force, not with administrative force. And so this is somebody’s idea.”
“This has been cooked and baked with somebody without the public and possibly even without the administration,” he said.
Downtown Neighbors Alliance President James Torres is also asking the city to slam on the brakes.
“If you notice, when things are too premature, that’s when the deals get done,” he said. “That’s the concern that the community has. That it should really be more committed to engagement with the city and the possible people (who) want to take this over.”
Russell said the city should put out a request for proposals first, saying he knows personally of “theater producers and directors who are partnering with developers and hoteliers” to develop the property and who have spoken with city officials.
Both the Flagler Business Improvement District and Dade Heritage Trust are asking the commission to defer the matter.
“The deferral is requested to allow for public input and professional opinions as to the use of the Olympia Theater for purely educational purposes, as it is primarily a cultural facility and to address the necessity of well-regarded historic preservation professionals (architect, contractor, restoration specialist) being involved in the preservation/restoration of the property,” Dade Heritage Trust Executive Director Christine Rupp said.
BID resolution:
The theater lies in Miami’s District 2, represented by Commissioner Damian Pardo.
Pardo released a statement to Local 10 News calling the theater “a treasured gem in our community.”
“I’m encouraged by the idea of restoring it to its glory and returning it to public use,” he said in part. “At this time, my office is working closely with the City Manager’s office to present the item for a first reading review and begin a process of community engagement with interested parties over the coming month at which time the item will come back to (the) commission.”
Pardo called the potential move a “a complex matter that involves ongoing litigation and multiple stakeholders, including Miami-Dade College.”
“While there are still details to consider, I am supportive of any outcome that preserves this historic space, opens it up for community benefit, activates the area and promotes educational and cultural programming,” Pardo said. “We remain committed to transparency and to ensuring the best outcome for our residents.”
Local 10 News contacted SLAM Academy via its website seeking comment and has not heard back.