Miami looks at getting PAMM museum to remove jumbo billboard
Downtown residents rejoice after Miami repealed an ordinance that authorized the construction of colossal LED billboards they feared would blight the city’s urban core.
In a 4-1 vote May 23, Miami commissioners rolled back a January 2023 ordinance that allowed for massive, illuminated, multi-faced signs at an expanded list of locations in Miami’s downtown and waterfront parks.
The commission also directed the city attorney to request a declaratory judgment regarding the city’s contract with the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), which already received a permit for a sign under the 2023 legislation.
The resolution, sponsored by Commissioner Damian Pardo who represents the area primarily affected, retracted the January 2023 ordinance that authorized lighted, 100-foot-tall signs with two faces up to 1,080 square feet per side to rise at an expanded list of locations that included Bayfront Park, Maurice A. Ferré Park, the Adrienne Arsht Center and PAMM.
The new outdoor advertising ordinance amends the list of authorized sites, removing the Adrienne Arsht Center and PAMM and adding regulations relating to signs that will apply to those already permitted at the sites mentioned, which are now deemed legal, nonconforming uses by the city.
The updated regulations include limited hours of operation to between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. that can be extended to midnight for special events, modulation and ambient lighting requirements, and a prohibition on adult content, all of which were the main concerns of residents who feared the ads and bright LED lights would disrupt their quality of life and mar the aesthetic of Miami’s downtown neighborhoods.
For the signs already permitted at the Adrienne Arsht Center and PAMM, Mr. Pardo said the Arsht Center has requested its permits be revoked and the city is in the process of doing so.
“There is a path to bring down the PAMM sign through our lease” of the ground on which the museum stands. “It should come down, and that’s what the residents are demanding,” Mr. Pardo said, but adding, “we can’t revoke a permit because we will be subject to millions of dollars.”
“We have also asked for the license agreement between Orange Barrel Media and PAMM, and we have not been provided that, so [the city] will be advising the default and requesting a copy of that agreement,” Mr. Pardo continued.
Mr. Pardo and City Attorney George Wysong explained a potential path to taking down the PAMM sign, which involves a ruling from a judge that Miami’s ground lease for the property gives the city authority over the contract, which has raised suspicions.
Commissioners and public commenters at the meeting noted that Orange Barrel Media, the Ohio-based billboard company behind the PAMM sign, contributed over $200,000 to former Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla, who sponsored the January 2023 outdoor advertising ordinance and was in September 2023 charged with bribery.
“My predecessor, who is under indictment charges at the moment, created this mess,” said Commissioner Miguel Gabela, Mr. Diaz de la Portilla’s successor.
Mr. Pardo said the city’s lease has a strong indemnification clause in the agreement. City attorney George Wysong explained that the clause calls on PAMM to defend and hold harmless the city from any and all claims related to issues with the contract.
“So, there is a potential that in the event that litigation was to ensue regarding the signs, that PAMM would have to be the one fighting that lawsuit,” Mr. Wysong said. He clarified that there is no request to take down the sign currently but he still recommended seeking a declaratory judgment to limit any possible liabilities regarding the future of the PAMM sign.
The commission ultimately voted 4-1, authorizing the new outdoor advertising ordinance and directing the city attorney to seek a declaratory judgment. Commissioner Manolo Reyes, who had opposed the LED billboards since the beginning, cast the lone no vote in continued protest.
Marco Stewart
May 29, 2024 at 12:44 pm
Wow! The PAMM’s President and senior leadership should be embarrassed and should resign for further tarnishing the institution’s already fragile name and reputation. There should be a thorough investigation to reveal how De La Portilla (arrested for unrelated corruption charges) and Orange Barrel Media pushed this disgusting project to execution. The political donation points specifically to De La Portilla and other current commissioners. Shame on the PAMM!
DC
May 29, 2024 at 3:43 pm
Surprised that PAMM would even entertain such an idea of a giant lighted billboard on or near its property. After all, it stands as a beacon of good taste for the community unless, of course, it appears money speaks louder than taste.
Mark G.
May 29, 2024 at 4:29 pm
Isn’t that crazy? What happened to them? No public comments! I agree with the comment above! They should all resign. Let’s invite #NYT @NYT to take a look at it!
BM
May 30, 2024 at 11:37 am
Why would PAMM get involved in such a tacky deal? They ruined a beautiful building the building with an disgusting LED billboard, something that most cities are getting rid of? TACKY!!! The lawsuit from the city will review what led them to fall into this scandal.
GJM
May 30, 2024 at 1:01 pm
PAMM is paying its executives exorbitant salaries. Over $600,000 annually just for their Director. No wonder they are losing $1 million a year. Miami-Dade County is contributing $4 million a year to keep this museum going. We need to force them to get rid of the billboard and reduce their expenses.
Mark G.
May 31, 2024 at 3:18 pm
Oh wow !!! the scandal only worsens… What a SHAME ! SHAME ON THE @PAMM. The need to take down the billboard as it has become a FLAG OF CORRUPTION in Miami!
BrandonBe
June 3, 2024 at 11:40 pm
I’m happy to see this gaining traction and moving towards removal, along with the other LED billboards on taxpayers’ land. I trust everyone here will be messaging the PAMM directly, posting on X, and contacting the Commissioners and Mayor, rather than just commenting here, which has little impact beyond us like-minded individuals. Let’s keep pushing.
Mark
June 9, 2024 at 11:00 am
Fully agree!
Mr Bikes Rental & Scooters
June 9, 2024 at 3:30 am
Amazingly, PAMM would even contemplate placing a massive illuminated billboard on or close to its land. This location is meant to serve as a model of taste for the neighborhood! Unless, of course, in this case, cash talks louder than taste. Considering that they may put money before retaining the museum’s beautiful reputation is disheartening.
Fire the SOBs
July 4, 2024 at 12:33 pm
PAMM AKA The Perez Art Museum Miami has killed its poor reputation. Former Director Terry Riley must be spinning in his grave. LED Billboards? What trash! Time to replace all the executives involved in this scandal.
BrandonBe
July 12, 2024 at 10:20 pm
Keeping the posts alive…. How many of us have called PAMM directly, messaged your Commissioners?
H. C.
July 17, 2024 at 6:48 am
As a previous docent, over the years I’ve noticed a long but gradual and accumulated deterioration of the structure that houses PAMM . So much so that the exterior is looking , shall I say, embarrassing. It’s a shame that an institution that should have only grown in quality and stature be entangled in a scandals of this nature. It’s obvious that current management is either inept or incapable of maintaining this artistic beacon for the city of Miami. If I were Perez I would be embarrassed to have my name on it.