HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #22 - Discussion ItemCITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM is
TO Honorable Mayor and Members DATE : DEC 2 2 1994 FILE
of the City Commission
SUBJECT : Discussion Item/
Tower Theater
FROM : Ces REFERENCES: Management
FOB City Commission
City er ENCLOSURES: Meeting of 1/12/95
RECOMMENDATION:
It is respectfully recommended that the City Commission review and discuss
options regarding the management of the Tower Theater cinema located at 1508
S.W. 8th Street, Miami, and proposed for renovation in early 1995.
BACKGROUND:
The Department of Development and Housing Conservation, Development
Division, ("the Department") is the project manager for the rehabilitation of the
Tower Theater. Under the supervision of the Department the firm of Bermello,
Ajamil & Partners, project architect, has concluded the design of the facility as
well as construction documents and bid specifications.
The Tower Theater Rehabilitation Project is a complete renovation of the
exterior and interior of the historic neighborhood facility built in 1926. The
exterior is to be restored to the 1931 original Art Deco architectural style
featuring the marquee and a 40 ft. illuminated steel tower on the roof. The
interior reconstruction of the theater will convert the existing auditorium from a
one screen to a two -screen cinema space. Cinema No. 1 will have 124 seats
including 5 handicapped spaces. Cinema No. 2 will have 266 seats including 6
handicapped spaces and a small stage equipped with lighting and dressing
room space. The lobby of the theater and the second floor will serve as a
welcome/interpretive center featuring as an example, exhibits and memorabilia
of the transformation of the neighborhood from Shennandoah/Riverside to Little
Havana.
On S.W. 15th Avenue located immediately east of the theater, a pedestrian
plaza is being proposed by closing a : -tion of the road between 8th and 9th
street. The plaza will provide for the theater a linkage to Domino Park and an
outdoor space that can be used as a secondary entrance to the theater during
special events.
�s-
Honorable Mayor and Members
of the City Commission
Page two
The construction budget is estimated at a total of $1,500,000 for the facility and
$300,000 for the design and construction of the pedestrian plaza.
To date the Department has secured the following funds:
C.I.P. Project # 321038............................................................................. $ 870,000
Dade County Cultural Affairs Grant(Awarded 6/94)................................ 15,000
City of Miami CDBG 1994 Grant.. 250,000
Secured. Funding.. as of 10/94.Total. ,$ 1.135,000
State Historic Resources Grant
(applied 6/94. approved 10/94-award announced 6/95).... . ... ....... ... 350 000
Secured Funding as of 6/95 Total $ 1,485,000
Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization(MPO) Grant
(applied 5/94-award announced'96)........................................... 260,000
Possible Funding as of 1996.... Total $ 1.745.000
Manaaement Options
The management of the new Tower Theater is a matter that must be carefully
analyzed and decided prior to its construction. Management options may be as
follows:
a. The creation of a non -for -profit organization comprised of an appointed board
that will have the ability to seek funding from foundations and government
programs. The organization will also be responsible for the hiring of an operator
and the programming of the facility as a community film and cultural center.
b. Dedicate ownership and control of the Theater to the Performing Arts Trust to
manage, operate and program the facility, as it is planned for the Lyric Theater
in Overtown. The Tower Theater will become part of the hierarchy of
metropolitan cultural facilities specifically showcasing cinematic arts.
c. Enter into a management agreement with a private for -profit established
cinema operator. Two options include: (1) an operator that will principally
program the facility with conventional english language commercial first -run
movies, and (2) an operator that offers a diverse first -run community and
specialty film program for the facility. Both exist in the greater Miami area.
95- 35.'