HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-17-0511City of Miami
Resolution R-17-0511
Legislation
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 3219 Final Action Date: 10/26/2017
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION DIRECTING THE CITY
MANAGER TO DEVELOP AND ISSUE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ("RFP")
FOR A STUDY BASED ON A COMMUNITY -CENTERED VISION FOR THE
USES AND MANAGEMENT OF THE OLYMPIA THEATER, ITS ADJACENT
OFFICE BUILDING, AND THE REQUIRED FAQADE REMEDIAL WORK.
WHEREAS, the Olympia Theater ("Olympia") opened in 1926 as a silent movie palace
with Moorish architecture, perfect acoustics, and a simulated night sky and was one of the first
air-conditioned buildings in the South; and
WHEREAS, for over forty (40) years, the Olympia was the premier entertainment center
in the City of Miami ("City") with performances by such cultural icons as Elvis Presley, B.B. King,
Luciano Pavarotti, and Etta James; and
WHEREAS, in 1975, South Florida business tycoon and philanthropist Maurice Gusman
saved the aging Olympia and its adjacent office building from demolition and donated them to
the City; and
WHEREAS, the Olympia received extensive restorations in the 1970s, overseen in part
by famed architect Morris Lapidus, and was named to the National Register of Historic Places in
1984; and
WHEREAS, by the 1980s, virtually every structural system of the Olympia required
repair or replacement, requiring the retainment of noted restoration architect Richard J.
Heisenbottle, AIA, for development of an ambitious multi -year plan for additional stabilization
and restoration work, leading to the enlargement of the stage, installation of new lighting and
audio equipment, restoration of the original, vibrant paint scheme of the decorative plasterwork
throughout the theater, replacement of the 1970s-vintage plastic seating with historically
appropriate wood -and -brass seats, and new carpeting custom -loomed to match the 1926
original carpeting; and
WHEREAS, during the October 26, 2017 City Commission Meeting, an unsolicited
proposal was discussed proposing demolition and replication of the existing office building in
accordance with the City's Historic Preservation Office standards; construction of a mixed -
income affordable and workforce housing development, containing between 200 to 300 units;
and renovation of the Olympia; and
WHEREAS, at the same October 26, 2017 City Commission Meeting, the City
Commission directed the City Manager to develop and issue a Request for Proposals ("RFP")
for a study based on a community -centered vision for the uses and management of the
Olympia, its adjacent office building, and the required remedial work to its facade;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
City of Miami Page 1 of 2 File ID: 3219 (Revision:) Printed On: 3/25/2025
File ID: 3219
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Enactment Number: R-17-0511
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The City Manager is directed and authorized' to develop and issue an RFP
for a study based on a community -centered vision for the uses and management of the
Olympia, its adjacent office building, and the required fagade remedial work.
Section 3. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and
signature of the Mayor.2
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
ndez, ity ttor ey 11/14/2017
1 The herein authorization is further subject to compliance with all requirements that may be imposed by
the City Attorney, including but not limited to, those prescribed by applicable City Charter and City Code
provisions.
If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten (10) calendar days
from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become effective
immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission.
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File ID: 3219 (Revision:) Printed on: 3/25/2025