Editorial
Downtown Can’t Waste a $500,000 Grant
Amal Solh Kabbani
The deadline for the $500,000 grant from the State of Florida to start repairing the Olympia Theater’s facade is rapidly approaching. This is the opportunity to immediately begin the long-neglected restoration, which will coincide with the Flagler Street Beautification project.
The City Commission approved the grant on November 15. Why is the City not moving forward? If the December 31st deadline is not met, according to Terrell Fritz, Executive Director, Flagler District BID, “the money will be returned to the State’s general budget. This means $500,000 less for historic preservation in Florida.”
Further deterioration of the historic Olympia Theater might lead to its closing and subsequent acquisition by one of the many voracious developers.
What needs to be done to meet the end of year deadline?
- City assumption of appropriate responsibility and liability for implementation of the project.
- Effective cancellation date of the Olympia’s current Management Agreement.
- City financial support for Olympia’s creative and community programming during the remaining period
It took more than a year to get a simple resolution supporting this grant on the City Commission agenda, and it would be a shame to lose the $500,000 and eligibility for additional $1.5 million in the future.
Public Safety
Repairing the Olympia Theater’s facade and removal of the scaffolding in the pedestrian right of way is of the highest priority to residents and business owners in the Central Business District of Downtown. It should be done not only for the sake of preserving the integrity of this great piece of Miami history but for the sake of public safety. It is difficult to understand how it remains in such calamitous condition given the potential of pieces of the facade actually falling onto pedestrians.
December 31st is just around the corner, City officials, please, do act now. If, however, this is a tactic to avoid responsibility should the grant fall through and play the quintessential: “Oh, well, we did everything we could and now we can not afford to preserve it,” then let it be known that there will be repercussions. If history is an indicator, local elected officials in Miami Dade gain office by hundreds or at best a few thousand votes. With tens of thousands of residents, Downtown Miami is fast becoming a force to reckon with.
Amal Solh Kabbani is President of the DNA.
