HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Public Comments Submitted Online for the September 25, 2025 City Commission MeetingOnline Public Comments -Miami City Commission Meeting
of Sept. 25, 2025
Online Public Comment Report for September 25, 2025, Regular City Commission Meeting
September 25, 2025 1:36 PM MDT
Public Comment
motero@miamigov.com
First Last
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Addr
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565
NE
77
Stree
Anth Ada t
ony ms Mia
mi
FL
3313
8
Agen
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Item
PH. 3
#1805
6
Autho
rize -
Purch
ase
Agrm
nt -
Olym
pia
Theat
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Public Comment
Save the theater for Miami residents
Reco
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Date
Sep
25
2025
10:2
4a m
MDT
CA. 5
900 #1813
Bisca 7
Ren Tico yne Settle
ato ulat Blvd, ment
Apt
5009 PAM
M
This billboard is simply too bright to have it there. It shines on people's residential Bedroom
windows, making this a disrespectful asset in our front doors. If they need the sign up, make
it a dull sign by dimming the brightness down.
Sep
25
2025
9:12
am
MDT
Mich Feuli
ael ng
900
Bisca
yne
Blvd
Mia
mi,
FL
CA. 5
#1813 Sep
7 The major stakeholder in this is the DT resident...who has had no advance notice that this 25
Settle was going to be put on the agenda nor was Comm Pardo informed. This sounds like the 2025
ment doings of "the only bad billboard is NO BILLBOARD Joe Carollo" and his ally Christine King. 8:02
This needs to be deferred until the DT resident can offer their input! am
MDT
PAM
M
Dian Bece 92 PH. 3 I'm urging you to vote NO on PH.3, which proposes to give away the historic Olympia Sep
a rra SW #1805 Theater to SLAM Foundation for just $10, through a no -bid, backroom deal. The Olympia 25
3rd 6 Theater is not just a building, it's Miami's most valuable cultural landmark. Designed by John 2025
Stree Autho Eberson in 1926, it's one of the last remaining atmospheric theaters in the nation. Maurice 7:35
t rize - Gusman donated this theater to the City in 1975 for the public's enjoyment, not to be handed am
#701 Purch off to a politically connected charter school and its for -profit operator, Academica. This MDT
, ase giveaway violates the City's own procedures. No public RFP. No competitive bidding. No
Mia Agrm transparency. And yet we are told this is the only option. That is simply false. Many
mi, nt - downtown residents and business owners strongly oppose this deal. The Downtown
FL Olym Development Authority (DDA) and the Flagler District BID do not speak for the people who
3313 pia actually live and work here. Their support of this giveaway shows how disconnected they are
0 from what the community truly wants. A viable alternate proposal exists, one that would keep
18257 Submittal -Public Comments Submitted Online for the September 25, 2025 City Commission Meeting
First Last
Nam Nam
e e
Ken Haw
dra ey
Mar Torre
y s
Stree
Addr
ess
Theat
Agen
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Item
PH. 3
#1805
6
7601 Autho
E. rize -
Treas Purch
ure ase
Drive Agrm
, Apt. nt -
2008 Olym
pia
Theat
Bisca
yne
Blvd
er
CA. 5
#1813
7
Settle
ment
PAM
M
CA. 5
#1813
900 7
Marc Mac bisca Settle
ones edo yne ment
Blvd. -
PAM
M
Luis
a
Suar
ez
the Olympia in public hands, professionally restore it, activate the tower with a boutique hotel
and cafe, and generate over $1 million annually in lease revenue for the City. Let's be dear,
i �itM2{jtt obsolete or worthless. It just hosted six sold -out shows by Marcello
Hernandez. This is a viable, beloved venue. Schools can be buift anywhere. The Olympia
Theater cannot. Public treasures should be preserved through public process, not political
favors. Vote NO on PH.3 and issue a fair and transparent Request for Proposals.
Reco
rded
Date
Sep
The Olympia Theater is an important Miami landmark that should remain in the control of the 25
public. It should not be given away to a for -profit charter school company without the 2025
opportunity for a fair and transparent request for proposals. Please know that the people are 7:34
watching, and they do not want historic treasures to be used as political favors. am
MDT
As a full time resident and owner of the downtown, I am oppose to the billboard sign for the
following reason: (1) how it came about was unamerican and un-democratic it did not follow
the appropriate rules to engage the elected official of our district and the community — who
Lives in the area and are impacted the most — we're not surveyed; (2) This digital signs
together with the those along biscayne blvd present danger in the community (bright lights
that blinks/changes with different ads are not good for eye vision over time; ads itself emit
hear from using electricity that is not good for the environment that we live in; etc.) (3) This
sign that is in our local community and impacts our day to day does not benefit us in
anyway. For example the brightline is free to transport us from one place to another — these
digital billboard adds no value to the downtown resident therefore I propose for 50% of the
revenue generated from this billboard to be given back to the community to either lower
property taxes or develop the community (e.g. build a safe playground for children) or local
community events. Otherwise get rid of this sign that was build unlawfully and poses danger
to the community. The downtown residents have had enough of these un-lawful processes
that impacts our daily fives in the community. Enough is enough!
This settlement attempt is unacceptable. The PAMM billboard, along with all other LED
billboards in downtown Miami, should be removed. They do not belong in our parks or in the
skyline of our city. Only those who live far away from the impact of these signs would agree
with their installation. For us, the residents of downtown —who pay some of the highest taxes
in Miami —these LED billboards are harmful and intrusive. The PAMM has been advertising
everything from wine (despite not being licensed to sell it in their shop) to cars and other
products entirely unrelated to their cultural mission. This is not appropriate or respectful to the
community. We urge you to respect the concerns of downtown residents and take action:
stop the LED billboards and remove them from our parks and skyline.
PH. 3
161 #1805
NE 6
42nd Autho Urging the commission to vote NO on agenda item PH. 3. The historic Olympia Theater
st., rize - should not be sold to the charter school SLAM for $10.00. It should not be sold at all. The
Apt. Purch way the Olympia Theater should be managed and considered moving forward should involve
1, ase city constituents, city community organizations, and so on who have many ideas on uplifting
Mia Agrm this theater and ensuring it's history is preserved and available to the public. Do not sell the
mi, nt - Olympia Theater for $10 to SLAM; do not sell the Olympia Theater in such a rushed, and
FL Olym disrespectful manner.
3313 pia
7 Theat
er
Sep
25
2025
7:33
am
MDT
Sep
25
2025
7:23
am
MDT
Sep
25
2025
7:10
am
MDT
First Last
Nam Nam
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Mart ALon
in so
Luci Pug
ana gina
Maji
Soni
a
Ram
os
M
Stree
Addr
ess
900
Bisca
yne
Blvd
4404
900
Bisca
yne
bLvd
4906
mia
mi
3312
2
Agen Reco
da Public Comment rded
Item Date
CA. 5
#1813 Dear comissioners, don get bullied. Do not settle. Don't be part of the corrupt miami problem. Sep
7 Have decency in you. Those billboards will ruin the city. It will ruin our neighbourhood. We 25
Settle pay high property taxes for what? So that our property values get drained by this corrupt 2025
ment situation? Let's make Downtown Miami a nice place, not another homeless times square. 6:50
This company thinks they can buoy the city into accepting this but Lets show them we wilt not am
PAM be bullied into a settlement. Bring down these billboards asap. MDT
M
CA. 5
#1813 Sep
7 25
Settle Billboard is realty bright!! Definitely a nuisance to a Lot of people who Live around, specialty 2025
ment on the buildings in front of it. It should be taken down! 6:41
am
PAM MDT
M
PH. 3
#1805
6
Autho
555 rize -
NE Purch
56 St ase
Mia Agrm
mi nt -
OLym
pia
Theat
er
CA. 5
#1813
900 7
Bisca Settle
yne ment
bLvd -
PAM
M
As a Miami Realtor for over 30 years I have a keen understanding of the housing market.
Neighborhoods that only offer new construction never appreciate mid to Long term. The
reason is there wilt always be a newer and better building. The key is to be unique and the
Olympia is one of our most unique historical architecturally significantly buildings that must
be preserved for the public and not sold. If we want to compete as the 5th global port of
entry city Miami needs more than new construction. We need Livable neighborhoods through
smart growth. Vibrant unique communities that are not easily duplicated with historical
Landmarks, architecture, art, green space in every neighborhood, not a select few. We NEED
the Olympia Theater to be restored as a Theater open to the public. I'm urging you to vote
NO on PH.3, which proposes to give away the historic Olympia Theater to SLAM Foundation
for just $10, through a no -bid, backroom deal. The Olympia Theater is not just a building, it's
Miami's most valuable cultural Landmark. Designed by John Eberson in 1926, it's one of the Sep
Last remaining atmospheric theaters in the nation. Maurice Gusman donated this theater to 25
the City in 1975 for the public's enjoyment, not to be handed off to a politically connected 2025
charter school and its for -profit operator, Academica. This giveaway violates the City's own 6:28
procedures. No public RFP. No competitive bidding. No transparency. And yet we are told this am
is the only option. That is simply false. Many downtown residents and business owners MDT
strongly oppose this deal. The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the FLagler
District BID do not speak for the people who actually Live and work here. Their support of this
giveaway shows how disconnected they are from what the community truly wants. A viable
alternate proposal exists, one that would keep the Olympia in public hands, professionally
restore it, activate the tower with a boutique hotel and cafe, and generate over $1 million
annually in Lease revenue for the City. Let's be dear, the Olympia isn't obsolete or worthless.
It just hosted six sold -out shows by MarceLto Hernandez. This is a viable, beloved venue.
Schools can be built anywhere. The Olympia Theater cannot. Public treasures should be
preserved through public process, not political favors. Vote NO on PH.3 and issue a fair and
transparent Request for Proposals. Thank you Maji Ramos Miami Realtor since 1993 1 2nd
Generation Realtor I Miami native
Please take down the PAMM digital billboard that was erected under questionable
circumstances. We don't need this type of visual pollution in what should be a park that is an
oasis in our city! Do the right thing and protect the interest of the people.
Sep
25
2025
6:22
am
MDT
First Last
Nam Nam
e e
Alin
Stree
Addr
ess
3301
NE 5
Ave
Beck Mia
er mi,
FL
3313
7
Agen
da
Item
Public Comment
Honorable City of Miami Commissioners and Mayor: I'm urging you to vote NO on PH.3,
which proposes to give away the historic Olympia Theater to SLAM Foundation for just $10,
or any amount through a no -bid, backroom deal. The Olympia Theater is not just a building,
PH. 3 it's Miami's most valuable cultural landmark. Designed by John Eberson in 1926, it's one of
#1805 the last remaining atmospheric theaters in the nation. Maurice Gusman donated this theater
6 to the City in 1975 for the public's enjoyment, not to be handed off to a politically connected
Autho charter school and its for -profit operator, Academica. This giveaway violates the City's own
rize - procedures. No public RFP. No competitive bidding. No transparency. And yet we are told this
Purch is the only option. That is simply false. Many downtown residents and business owners
ase strongly oppose this deal. The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the Flagler
Agrm District BID do not speak for the people who actually live and work here. Their support of this
nt - giveaway shows how disconnected they are from what the community truly wants. A viable
Olym alternate proposal exists, one that would keep the Olympia in public hands, professionally
pia restore it, activate the tower with a boutique hotel and cafe, and generate over $1 million
Theat annually in lease revenue for the City. Let's be dear, the Olympia isn't obsolete or worthless.
er It just hosted six sold -out shows by Marcelto Hernandez. This is a viable, beloved venue.
Schools can be built anywhere. The Olympia Theater cannot. Public treasures should be
preserved through public process, not political favors. Vote NO on PH.3 and issue a fair and
transparent Request for Proposals. Sincerely, Alina Becker
Reco
rded
Date
Sep
25
2025
6:02
am
MDT
PH. 3
#1805
6
668
Autho
NE Selling the Olympia Theater, a historical landmark, to a charter school and its for profit arm Sep
rite -
70 St Academica, without a formal RFP process, is corrupt. All based on a sales pitch. No formal 25
Purch
Ana Mira Mia ase plan for historic preservation, no plan for cultural programming or the staffing of experienced 2025
nda mi cultural presenters. What we wilt get are student recitals passing off as community 5:56
Agrm grm
programming and a renovation process without any historic guidelines or guardrails. Lets am
nt -
3313 Ol m elevate our standards and have a transparent process. Please do not make this mistake. MDT
8 y
pia
Theat
er
San Mois 5910 PH. 3 I am writing once again to urge you to pause and press the brakes on Agenda Item PH.3, Sep
dy e NE #1805 which proposes the transfer of one of Miami's most valuable public assets —the Olympia 25
6th 6 Theater, the adjoining 10-story building, and millions in Transfer of Development Rights 2025
Court Autho (TDRs) to SLAM Foundation and its for -profit management company, Academica, for just 5:46
rize - $10, through a no -bid deaL. This process has been marked by misinformation, obfuscation, am
Purch and outright secrecy. From the beginning, the City has acted more like a paid lobbying firm MDT
ase than a transparent public agency. City officials have appeared on podcasts, coordinated with
Agrm influencers, and posted misleading content on social media, all to sell a false narrative to the
nt - public. Meanwhile, residents, the true stakeholders, have been lied to and mostly left in the
Olym dark. Key Facts & Red Flags: • $78 million was allocated under the Miami Forever Bond for
pia "Parks and Cultural Facilities;' yet not a single dollar has gone to a cultural facility or the
Theat Olympia Theater. • $15 million earmarked for Olympia was quietly redistributed by the
er administration without public input. • The TDR rights, valued at $12-18 million, are being
handed away with no appraisal, no valuation, and no competitive process. • The "$77 million
repair estimate" is not backed by any engineering report, receipts, or independent verification
that has been shared with the public. • The repair estimate has ballooned from $30 million
reported in May 2025 to current report of $77 million. • In reality, the cost to restore the
theater alone is $22-24 million —not $50M or $77M. The inflated number includes the cost to
build a new charter school inside the tower for SLAM/Academica. • The Olympia just hosted 6
sold -out shows in July —proving its viability as a functioning performance venue. The lawsuit
argument doesn't hold up when the Theater is clearly operable. • No one has disclosed the
amount being paid to the Gusman heirs as part of this so-called "settlement" Yet their
attorney admitted in public that the Gusman Foundation wilt receive a percentage of the deaL,
the City has not disclosed the source of the money for their settlement. Are taxpayers
funding the Gusman heirs' settlement? Who's Realty Getting This Deal? SLAM Foundation is
the named recipient, but they do not have $30 to $77 million needed for repairs. Academica,
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Public Comment
a powerful, for -profit charter management company, is clearly in control: • Both SLAM and
Academica List the same address on Sunbiz (6430 Sunset Dr, Miami, FL). • Academica wilt be
funding and managing the renovations, not SLAM. • A presentation titled "Academica
Proposed Plans for the Olympia Theater" was scheduled for the DDA the day after the vote,
even before a contract was finalized. • This suggests the deal was already cooked, and the
public process was merely performative. This is not just a transfer to a nonprofit. It's a
transfer to a complex corporate structure designed to mask private enrichment behind a
501(c)(3) sheLL. That does not meet the Legal standard for bypassing competitive bidding. The
City's Charter allows no -bid transfers only to a "governmental agency or instrumentality."
Charter schools are not LegaLty defined as instrumentalities of the state. Therefore, this deal
may violate the City's own procurement Laws. Legal & Ethical Questions: • Who is funding
the expensive social media campaigns, professional videos, paid podcast appearances, and
influencer promotions pushing this deal? • Is it being paid for by the City? Commissioner
offices? SLAM? Academica? • Why is there no disclosure of these funding sources, as
required under transparency Laws? • Why are corporate representatives from the FLagLer BID,
DDA, and MDC Listed as witnesses in the Gusman Lawsuit? The Theater is operable and just
hosted six sold out shows. The Lawsuit can be nullified through programming, why is the City
choosing to give away $40-50 million in public assets rather than defending its position in
court? the Olympia isn't obsolete. It just hosted six sold -out shows by MarceLto Hernandez,
proving this is a viable, beloved venue. How much did the City earn in Lease fees for these
six sold out shows, which brought over a thousand people to downtown for each
performance. Public Accountability Must Prevail.: Let's be dear: this is not about what's best
for students or preservation. I fact, it prevents public school students from access to this
historical cultural space. This is a real estate deal wrapped in a thin veil of education, being
rammed through with no RFP, no appraisal, no valuation, and no Legitimate community input.
This is fiscally irresponsible, ethically questionable, and potentially illegal. Let's talk about the
FLagLer District BID, which agreed to support this deal., but only if SLAM pays them up to $1
million a year. If that kind of money is available, why isn't the City keeping ownership and
collecting that revenue itself to benefit all taxpayers? I've spoken with many downtown
residents and business owners, and there is strong opposition to this deal.. The Downtown
Devel.opment Authority (DDA) and the FLagLer District BID do not speak for the people who
actually Live, work, and own businesses here. Their support of this giveaway shows how
disconnected they are from what the community truly wants. And the contract? It's fitted with
vague promises and Loopholes, including no concrete plan for who wilt manage the Olympia
Theater, what types of programming wilt be offered, or how the public wilt meaningfully
access it for "180 days a year." We CaLt for the Following Immediate Actions: 1. Pause the
Deal.. Do not proceed until all information is made public and reviewed. 2. Public Appraisal..
Release the full appraisal of the Olympia Theater, 10-story buil.ding, and TDRs. 3. Return the
$15M in Miami Forever Bond funds earmarked for the Theater restoration. 4. Issue a
transparent, open RFP for the Theater that retains public ownership and uses TDR revenue
and bond funds as incentives. 5. Disclose funding sources behind all social media campaigns,
podcasts, and influencers promoting this deal.. 6. Investigate potential procurement violations
under the City Charter and Florida Law. 7. Pursue programming and public activation of the
Olympia Theater to nullify the Lawsuit and fulfill Maurice Gusman's original intent. A viable
alternate proposal exists, one that would keep the Olympia in public hands, professionally
restore it, activate the tower with a boutique hotel and cafe, and generate over $1 million
annually in Lease revenue for the City. Miami is a world -class city. World -class cities preserve
their cultural icons, not give them away for $10 to politically connected private entities. The
Olympia Theater is a cornerstone of our downtown and a symbol of Miami's cultural identity.
The public deserves transparency, accountability, and a vision worthy of this irreplaceable
Landmark —not a rushed giveaway to a private charter school network with a profit motive.
We're not any closer to answers or accountability than we were in JuLy. What we are closer to
is giving away one of Miami's greatest public treasures in a backroom deal that does not
reflect the wilt —or best interest —of the people. Don't sett our Theater. Don't sett our trust.
And don't sett our city's souL.
Reco
rded
Date
Mari Gon 436 PH. 3 I'm urging you to vote NO on PH.3, which proposes to give away the historic Olympia Sep
a zaLe NE #1805 Theater to SLAM Foundation for just $10, through a no -bid, backroom deaL. The Olympia 25
"Mar z 77th 6 Theater is not just a building, it's Miami's most valuable cultural Landmark. Designed by John 2025
i" Stree Autho Eberson in 1926, it's one of the Last remaining atmospheric theaters in the nation. Maurice 5:41
t Rd rize - Gusman donated this theater to the City in 1975 for the public's enjoyment, not to be handed am
Apt Purch off to a politically connected charter school and its for -profit operator, Academica. This MDT
p ase giveaway violates the City's own procedures. No public RFP. No competitive bidding. No
First Last Mia a Agen transparency. And yet we are told this is the only option. That is simply false. Many Reco
Nam Nam Mdr da- Etulaiitanmegintents and business owners strongly oppose this deal. The Downtown rded
e e FL tl*yrn Development Authority (DDA) and the Flagler District BID do not speak for the people who Date
ess
3313 pia actually live and work here. Their support of this giveaway shows how disconnected they are
8 Theat from what the community truly wants. A viable alternate proposal exists, one that would keep
er the Olympia in public hands, professionally restore it, activate the tower with a boutique hotel
and cafe, and generate over $1 million annually in lease revenue for the City. Let's be dear,
the Olympia isn't obsolete or worthless. It just hosted six sold -out shows by Marcello
Hernandez. This is a viable, beloved venue. Schools can be built anywhere. The Olympia
Theater cannot. Public treasures should be preserved through public process, not political
favors. Vote NO on PH.3 and issue a fair and transparent Request for Proposals.
PH. 3 I urge you to vote NO on PH.3, which would hand over the historic Olympia Theater to SLAM
#1805 Foundation for just $10 in a no -bid, backroom deaL. The Olympia Theater is Miami's most
3843 6 valuable cultural landmark — designed by John Eberson in 1926 and one of the last
Kum Autho atmospheric theaters in the nation. Maurice Gusman donated this theater to the City in 1975
quat rize - for public enjoyment, not for transfer to a politically connected charter school and its for -profit
Geor da
Aven Purch operator, Academica. This proposal violates the City's own procedures: no public RFP, no
ge Guia
ue, ase competitive bidding, no transparency. A viable alternative exists — one that would keep the
Coco Agrm theater in public hands, professionally restore it, activate the tower with a boutique hotel and
nut nt - cafe, and generate over $1M annually for the City. The Olympia is not obsolete. It just
Grov Olym hosted six sold -out shows by Marcello Hernandez — proof of its cultural value and viability.
e pia Schools can be built anywhere. The Olympia Theater cannot. Public assets must be
Theat preserved through a fair, transparent process — not given away through political favors.
er Please vote NO on PH.3 and issue a proper public RFP
PH. 3
1130 #1805
102 6
st., Autho
#6 rize -
Bay Purch
Stev Leid Harb ase Use already dedicated dollars(Miami Forever Bond) to restore The Gussman and keep it in
en ner Public Hands.
or Agrm
Islan nt -
ds Olym
3315 pia
4 Theat
er
Zully
49
Pard Cam
o pina
Ct
PH. 3
#1805
6
Autho
rize -
Purch
ase
Agrm
nt -
Olym
pia
Theat
er
Sep
25
2025
4:27
am
MDT
Sep
25
2025
4:25
am
MDT
I'm urging you to vote NO on PH.3, which proposes to give away the historic Olympia
Theater to SLAM Foundation for just $10, through a no -bid, backroom deaL. The Olympia
Theater is not just a building, it's Miami's most valuable cultural landmark. Designed by John
Eberson in 1926, it's one of the last remaining atmospheric theaters in the nation. Maurice
Gusman donated this theater to the City in 1975 for the public's enjoyment, not to be handed
off to a politically connected charter school and its for -profit operator, Academica. This
giveaway violates the City's own procedures. No public RFP. No competitive bidding. No Sep
transparency. And yet we are told this is the only option. That is simply false. Many 25
downtown residents and business owners strongly oppose this deaL. The Downtown 2025
Development Authority (DDA) and the Flagler District BID do not speak for the people who 2:25
actually live and work here. Their support of this giveaway shows how disconnected they are am
from what the community truly wants. A viable alternate proposal exists, one that would keep MDT
the Olympia in public hands, professionally restore it, activate the tower with a boutique hotel
and cafe, and generate over $1 million annually in lease revenue for the City. Let's be dear,
the Olympia isn't obsolete or worthless. It just hosted six sold -out shows by Marcello
Hernandez. This is a viable, beloved venue. Schools can be built anywhere. The Olympia
Theater cannot. Public treasures should be preserved through public process, not political
favors. Vote NO on PH.3 and issue a fair and transparent Request for Proposals.
Katri Morr 4130 PH. 3 I urge you to vote NO on PH3, the sale and issuance of a quitclaim deed to SLAM for $10. It Sep
na is Lyby #1805 has not sufficiently been explained why SLAM would need to retain the deed. We have heard 24
er 6 different stories: 1) On Monday, July 13, Commissioner Pardo's office conducted a zoom 2025
Ave, Autho (which wasn't recorded) with Academica, SLAM and City Representatives. In that meeting, 11:3
Mia rize - we were told that Academica would be financing the restoration and that they didnt need
Stree
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ess
mi Purch financing, that they had plenty of funds because they were doing so well. 2) By Wednesday, 3pm
FL ase July 15 when they held their public press conference at the Olympia Theater, Academica MDT
3313 Agrm took a back seat and SLAM said they were funding the theater restoration. Also, I would like
3 nt - to know which is true, because they can't all be true: As reported in the Coconut Grove
Olym Spotlight, when discussing the extra 300 police officers Miami -Dade wilt need in the future,
pia City of Miami Police Chief Manny Morales stated during the June Commission Meeting, "Our
Theat officers are doing well, but I'm Looking at the city and how we're growing. It's not that there is
er a need for now, but there is a need to prepare for what Miami is to become." He said that,
according to department projections, Miami wilt see an increase of about 7,000 dwelling units
over the next few years. The cost for these police officers to serve the future residents of
Miami? $161 MiLLion At the same time, we are told that the cost to restore the Olympia and
provide for cultural programming is too much and that there isn't enough of a demand for a
historic cultural venue. Are you saying that the future inhabitants of those 7000 dwelling units
wilt all be criminals and uninterested in Live shows? The other thing we are told is that the
SLAM team can run the theater profitably, despite being a school and not a cultural
programming organization, with Miami -Dade CoLtege running the programming. Which is it?
Can the venue not support public programming, or can it be run profitably as a public venue?
WHICH IS IT? FinaLty, I have not heard a reason why the City of Miami should exercise a
quitclaim deed and surrender the deed to SLAM. If the theater is not to be sold or altered in
use, and that all SLAM is Looking for is the revenue from its use and programming, why not
do the standard 99-year Lease, with the same restrictions as noted in Exhibit C of the
Purchase and SaLe Agreement? These are my questions and comments regarding the content
of the Purchase and SaLe Agreement: 7. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT herein shall be subject
to the completion of the following conditions precedent on or before thirty (30) days prior to
Closing: A. The Property is the subject of, and the City is presently a party to, pending
Litigation in the matters of Robert Gusman, Bruce Gusman and Jackie Gusman Thayer as
successor trustees of the real property of Maurice Gusman Cultural Center for the Performing
Arts, Inc., a dissolved Florida not for profit corporation, v. City of Miami, Case No. 22-23242
CA 01, pending in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, in and for Miami -Dade
County, Florida, and Maurice Gusman Cultural Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. a
dissolved Florida not for profit corporation, v. City of Miami, Case No. 3D23-1842, pending in
the District Court Plaintiffs wilt prepare and provide motions to dismiss, with prejudice to be
held in escrow, in each of the Cases seven (7) days prior to dosing. Plaintiffs shall fife a
voluntary dismissal with prejudice of all claims against the City, within thirty (30) days after
Closing. B. Purchaser shall submit to the Seller commitment from a financial institution as
evidence that it is ready to commence and complete restoration of the Property in the
manner required by the Resolution, this Agreement and the Deed, as hereinafter defined,
including without Limitation, in compliance with the Restoration Requirements as defined in
the Deed. C. Purchaser shall provide the Seller, for its approval, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld, a fully executed agreement between Purchaser and Miami -Dade
College and providing for notice to the City in the event Purchaser defaults pursuant to
Programming Agreement. As set forth in the Resolution, this Agreement, or the Deed. D.
From and after the Effective Date, there shall have been no material adverse change in the
physical or environmental condition of the Property. policy of title insurance in the amount of
the market value of the Property, insuring that dean and marketable title vests in Purchaser.
If the foregoing conditions precedent are not satisfied on or thirty (30) days prior to the
scheduled Closing Date, then either Party may, at its option: (i) waive, in writing, the
unsatisfied condition precedent and continue to Closing. — NO. The City cannot waive any
condition precedents and cannot continue to closing. The rest of the provision is fine. Each
Party shall be responsible for its own attorney's fees incurred in connection with the Closing.
— What are the attorney's fees? PARTIAL INVALIDITY In the event that any provision of this
Agreement shall be unenforceable in whole or in part, such provision shall be Limited to the
extent necessary to render the same valid or shall be excised from this Agreement as the
circumstances require, and this Agreement shall be construed as if said provision had been
incorporated herein as so Limited, or as if said provision had not been included herein, as the
case may be. — Explain, please. WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY; VENUE The Parties hereby
knowingly, voluntarily, intentionally, and irrevocably waive any right they may have to a trial
by jury in respect to any Litigation arising out of, under or in connection with this Agreement,
or any course of conduct, course of dealing, statements (whether oral or written) or actions in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. This provision is a material
inducement for the Purchaser and the Seller entering into this Agreement. The venue in any
Litigation shall be in Miami -Dade County, Florida. — Why waive this?
Stree
First Last Agen Reco
t
Nam Nam Addr da Public Comment rded
e e Item Date
ess
PH. 3 I'm urging you to vote NO on PH.3, which proposes to give away the historic Olympia
#1805 Theater to a private corporation. The Olympia Theater is one of Miami's most valuable
6 cultural landmark, and one of the last remaining atmospheric theaters in the nation. Maurice
855
N. E. Autho Gusman donated this theater to the City in 1975 for the public's enjoyment, not to be handed Se
76th rize - off to a politically connected charter school operator, Academica. This giveaway violates the 24
St., Purch City's own procedures. No public RFP. No competitive bidding. No transparency. And yet we 2025
Alina Diaz ase are told this is the only option. That is simply false. A viable alternate proposal exists, one
MIMIA Agrm that would keep the Olympia in public hands, professionally restore it, activate the tower with 9•m0
nt - a boutique hotel and cafe, and generate over $1 million annually in lease revenue for the p
Florid MDT
OLym City. Let's be dear, the Olympia isn't obsolete or worthless. It just hosted six sold -out shows
a
pia by MarceLto Hernandez. This is a viable, beloved venue. Schools can be built anywhere. The
Theat Olympia Theater cannot. Vote NO on PH.3 and issue a fair and transparent Request for
er Proposals.
PH. 3
#1805
6
Autho Giving away the Olympia to a group who are unqualified to run it, is an embarrassment for
Sep
2640 rize - Miami, quite aside from the fact their proposal was made in a way to keep it from scrutiny, 24
Mac Purch and contains blatant 'wishful thinking' in place of actualities. I have worked at the Olympia as
NiaLt auLa ase an audio engineer on many occasions and almost all of them were very welt attended. The
135t 8046
Agrm City saying that it cannot afford to run the venue white it fritters away cash on all sorts of
h nt - questionable things and misses opportunities to make money all the time, is IMO simply an pm
MDT
OLym excuse for sheer Laziness.
pia
Theat
er
815 PH. 3
N #1805
Hom 6
estea Autho
Sep
d rize - Please VOTE NO on PH 3. I do not agree with the sale of the Olympia Theater. It is a one of 24
Blvd. Purch a kind Historic atmospheric theater. Marcelo Hernandez hosted 6 sold out shows there and
Sont Strin 2025
• ase generated income for the city. Any building can be a charter school but only the Olympia
ha ko 8:41
639 Agrm Theater can be a valuable historic Landmark. It is buildings Like the Olympia Theater that
pm
Hom nt - make Miami special..
estea OLym MDT
d, FL pia
3303 Theat
O er
PH. 3
2150 #1805
N 6
bays Autho
hore rize - Sep
24
Rom dr Purch I am a theater and cinema producer... we need to conserve this wonderful space for Miami 2025
Tess mia ase individuals. We need more Theaters, more Culture spaces... a School there is not a correct
an 8:08
mi Agrm place! We need quality shows in that classic and beautiful place. NO TO THE SALE
florid nt - pm
a OLym MDT
3313 pia
7 Theat
er
First Last
Nam Nam
e e
Stree
Addr
ess
Agen
da
Item
Public Comment
Reco
rded
Date
RE.
11
#1817
7
Execu Sep
1014 to - 24
Sitvi Mita sw Purch What is the plan after purchasing this property? Has an appraisal been done? Is this going to 2025
a nes 9th ase benefit the community and the groups the money is supposed to be allocated towards? 7:55
ave Sate am
Agrm MDT
nt -
Lopez
Optic
at Inc
PZ. 6
#1794
2
Rezo
ning -
349
SW
12 St,
349
SW Sep
1014 12 St, 24
Silvi Mila sw 375 What is the plan with re -zoning Triangle park? It is currently undergoing "renovations" which I 2025
don't believe are contingent on any re -zoning. Would this re -zoning open the door for the
a nes 9th SW 7:22
ave 15 park to later be turned into housing or another loss of public space? am
Rd, MDT
1109
and
1131
SW 4
Ave,
and
364
SW
11 St
PH. 3
#1805
6
Autho
350 rize - Sep
S Purch Dear Sir/Madam I strongly urge you to vote against the transfer of Olympia to a charter 24
Tava school. Not only is this a bad decision from the history, tourism and art point of views, but 2025
Zane Mia ase
na aLso we who live in the neighborhood dealing with the traffic, floods, and sewage back up in 5:54
mi Agrm
the area, do NOT want a school on the already congested network in downtown. am
Ave nt -
MDT
Olym
pia
Theat
er
Step Cost 36st CA. 5 This is a disturbance for the community. The billboards are very bright and not a good option Sep
hani a #1813 for our community. Please don't approve this! 23
e 7 2025
Settle 8:33
ment am
MDT
First Last Stree
t
Nam Nam Addr
e e
ess
1900
North
Bays
hore
Rodr Drive
Rich
igue , Apt
and 1716
Mia
mi,
3313
2
Liz
Ama
rillo
2000
N
Bays
hore
Dr
PAM
kgen Reco
da Public Comment rded
Item Date
CA. 5
#1813 I wish to express my opposition to this resolution. The billboard is supposed to be Sep
7 dismantled, not allowed to remain for the city to receive $500,000 per year. This is 23
Settle tantamount to the city extorting money from the PAMM and Orange Media. Make them 2025
ment remove the billboard. If it was installed in violation of the city's code, then it must come 7:44
down. Period. This is not the same as allowing a homeowner to keep an unauthorized am
PAM additional bedroom. MDT
M
CA. 5
#1813
7
Settle
ment
PAM
M
How does the City go straight to a resolution when our D2 Commissioner is not even aware
of these dealings? I oppose any resolution without full transparency. As a compliant taxpayer
I should have to opportunity to review what is being resolved here. The community and
specifically that area DOES NOT need a billboard posted. It is a HUGE distraction to drivers,
who already reckless, along with making a nuisance to those immediate condo building next
to it. This is a prime example of trying to skivvy out of the public's eye. Unacceptable. Pause
the resolution.
End of Report
Sep
23
2025
6:40
am
MDT