Vote on sale of historic Olympia Theatre put off

Miami officials had planned to revisit the proposed sale of the Olympia Theatre to SLAM Academy during this week’s commission meeting, but they have deferred the item to later this month.

The deal appears on the Sept. 11 Miami City Commission agenda with a bold note labeling it “may be deferred.” First announced in June, commissioners have already delayed the sale twice, largely in response to community input. City officials now say they will postpone consideration again until Sept. 25.

In a Sept. 9 email to commissioners, residents opposed to the sale asked whether the agenda item would be heard, given its “may be deferred” label, so they could decide whether to attend City Hall to speak. Commissioner Ralph Rosado replied that the commission will consider the deal at the Sept. 25 meeting, without providing further explanation.

The email, signed by resident Sandy Moise, urged the city to explore alternatives to retain control of the historic Olympia Theatre, noting that philanthropist Maurice Gusman donated the theater in 1975 with the expectation it would remain a public cultural venue.

City officials have long sought a partner to restore and reactivate the nearly century-old theater and the adjacent 10-story office building, which faces major maintenance challenges, including structural issues, water damage, deteriorating plaster and outdated electrical and HVAC systems. In 2022, the city asked developers for proposals to restore and manage the theater, but no one responded.

That same year, Miami Dade College launched its own request to establish an innovation-focused school downtown and partnered with Mater Academy to open “Miami Tech at Mater Innovation Academy.” The proposed deal would expand that effort, with SLAM Academy planning to rename the school the Miami Innovation & Arts Academy and use the theater site to incorporate arts and technology into the curriculum.

Under the deal, the city would transfer the Olympia site at 174 E Flagler St. to SLAM via quitclaim deed for a symbolic $10. SLAM would have to restore, manage and operate the property as a public education facility, completing an estimated $50 million in restoration work within five years or risk returning the site to the city.

Restoration must include:

Interior work: rebuild demolished dressing and crew rooms, repair decorative paint and plaster damaged by water intrusion, complete structural repairs, retrofit mechanical systems including a new chiller and cooling tower, and upgrade electrical, fire alarm and fire protection systems.

Exterior work: replace the roof, windows, and entrance doors; restore ornamental iron railings; replicate and restore façade elements including terracotta tile, brick, and stucco; and restore the Flagler Street marquee and ticket booth.

The agreement also would ensure the theater remains an educational facility and public asset. Miami Dade College would serve as a higher education partner, offering dual enrollment programs and developing pathways from arts-based programs to college degrees. SLAM would support MDC’s cultural programming by hosting events such as the Miami Film Festival and Book Fair and providing dedicated studio space for MDC students.

The theater would also remain open to the public for at least 180 days yearly and an advisory council of local arts and culture groups would guide programming. Additionally, SLAM would provide preferred student enrollment periods for local neighborhoods and do a study to minimize community disruption when the school opens, which would increase vehicle activity in the area.

With the deal deferred again, commissioners will next review the revised contract and hear from the public Sept. 25.

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