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Front Page » Arts & Culture » No-bid deal may darken films mecca Tower Theater

No-bid deal may darken films mecca Tower Theater

Written by on September 20, 2022
  • www.miamitodayepaper.com
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No-bid deal may darken films mecca Tower Theater

The home of the Miami Film Festival in Little Havana where Miami Dade College also operates South Florida’s highest-grossing art house cinema could be turned over to the Bay of Pigs Veterans Association by a Miami City Commission vote today (9/22).

Another vote would turn over to the association in a second lease the adjacent theater parking, where the association plans affordable housing and a museum. The association’s current museum and library is several blocks away.

Both measures sponsored by Commissioner Joe Carollo require four-fifths votes because the city would be waiving competitive bids, saying they would not be “practical or advantageous to the city.”

The film festival’s base, the Tower Theater at 1508 SW Eighth St., was built in 1926 as the “first state-of-the art theater in the South.” The college has operated the city-owned theater’s 250- and 104-seat auditoriums under a management agreement for two decades.

The theater has been restored several times starting in 1931, most recently after Commissioner Frank Carollo, Joe Carollo’s brother, won funding for repairs there and at adjacent Domino Park in 2014. The building’s namesake 40-foot-tall steel tower is an area landmark.

Under the legislation, the Bay of Pigs Veterans Association, 2506 Brigade Inc., would run the building “with the terms and conditions [to be] set forth in the agreement.” The legislation does not state that how the structure would be used or that it must show films.

The affordable housing to rise on the parking lot could be for ownership or lease, the city resolution says. It would be occupied by “eligible low to moderate income persons.” Brigade 2506 or a subsidiary owned at least 51% by the brigade would develop the housing and the museum.

Mortgages that the developer obtained would be subject to approval by the director of the city Department of Real Estate and Asset Management.

9 Responses to No-bid deal may darken films mecca Tower Theater

  1. Rafael Montalvo

    September 21, 2022 at 9:12 am

    The bay of pigs veterans association and the bay of pigs museum are not interested in occupying nor running the Tower theater and we have communicated this to all concerned parties
    Rafael Montalvo, president

  2. DC

    September 21, 2022 at 3:55 pm

    Another insane idea from Crazy Joe. Hope it’s voted down faster than the battle at the Bay of Pigs was fought.

  3. Isa

    September 21, 2022 at 10:19 pm

    Affordable housing in a parking lot that fits only 12 cars?? Really?? This sounds like another Miami embezzlement to me. No housing but someone will get rich off of this. Please!! In the mean time, no more theater playing movies in Spanish for the area residents and say goodbye to the Miami Film Festival. RIDICULOUS

  4. J Hooper

    September 22, 2022 at 11:59 am

    Items withdrawn from Commission Agenda this morning. However, the rumor is that the City issued an eviction notice to MDC several days ago – before a vote was even taken by the commission. This should be investigated. Everything surrounding this scheme and the demolition by neglect of the Olympia Theater needs to be investigated. Taxpayers deserve to have city owned properties, especially historic cultural icons, maintained and supported. MDC deserves a commendation from the City, not an eviction notice, for the example they have set with the exemplary renovation and operation of both the Tower Theater (and Freedom Tower!)

    • Richard Rodriguez

      September 27, 2022 at 4:36 pm

      Amen! I’m tired of watching our history demolished or subjected to intentional neglect.

  5. Help

    September 26, 2022 at 2:28 pm

    The Cuban Vets want nothing to do with Crazy Joe Carollo. Joe’s idiot brother Frank was bad. Joe is worse.

  6. Veto?

    September 29, 2022 at 9:59 am

    Miami Dade College was doing an excellent job. Why is Crazy Joe so crazy? Why does Francis Suarez let Crazy Joe ruin the City?

  7. Why?

    September 30, 2022 at 12:48 am

    Crazy Joe Carollo? How does he get elected? And he is only a commissioner to one district. Why is he the boss of the City?

  8. Lily

    October 26, 2022 at 8:59 am

    there comes a time when we need to get rid of Crazy Joe, what will it take??

    Why is he running our city ?

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