Miami Beach Commissioner Ricky Arriola says the city is unable to fund the necessary improvements to its cultural institutions and needs to find a new way to do it with a fresh push to focus more on the arts and culture to pay this. Arriola launches the idea for a General Obligation (GO) bond, a taxation mechanism that would have to be approved by voters such as the GO Bonds approved in 2018 for infrastructure, public safety, and parks and leisure.
Citing needs such as the Byron Carlyle Theater, the Fillmore, and the new cultural space proposed for the ground floor of the new Collins Park garage, Arriola said, “We now have a great, low-interest” opportunity to get into the surrounding area Investing future of Miami Beach, which is about art and culture. Many of our function rooms were built in the 1940’s and 1950’s and need to be built to 21st century standards.
The idea begins as a referral to the commission’s finance committee, an item on the city commission’s agenda this week. In a memo to his colleagues, Arriola wrote: “Miami Beach is fortunate to have many cultural assets and organizations that benefit its community. Many of these assets require capital resources to take our cultural organizations and communities to the next level, but unfortunately our annual capital budget for them is limited. As Miami Beach continues to define itself as a serious arts and culture destination, I ask the Finance and Economic Resilience Committee to consider making a general commitment to nurture our arts and cultural community and promote quality tourism. “
If the transfer is approved, Arriola would like the committee to request an inventory of all cultural institutions owned by the city. “I want to see what it would cost to bring these up to modern standards, especially in terms of audiovisual equipment, soundproofing, code matching, seating and all that. We want a good inventory and an estimate of the cost.”
Arriola expects that “the bill would be around $ 100 million to bring all of the city-owned properties to a competitive level … We know the bill for the Byron Carlyle will be around $ 15 to 20 million The city’s theater has been closed since October 2019 when it was declared unsafe due to numerous electrical and structural problems. Last week, after strong pressure from local activists and Commissioner Mark Samuelian, the commission approved up to $ 400,000 for further structural analysis and conceptualization once a resident survey is completed and potential cultural partners weigh the best use.
When asked about voter appetite for a new bond offering, Arriola said, “I think it’s very strong. You see, the Byron Carlyle is proof that the community wants the city to invest in a theater and performance space … I think we just have to make the case, be clear about what and how much we’re investing in, and me think a Strong argument can be put forward to voters to make the investment. “
“The Byron Carlyle is the most drastic in terms of its dilapidated condition, but the Fillmore (photo above) needs a refresh and the new performance space [in Collins Park] will also need some financial help to make it a truly world class room. “
Arriola wanted to raise more money from the 2018 bond referendum, but politically there was no support. “We obviously haven’t done enough. Had I had my Druthers, we would have included that in the GO Bond [in 2018]“But the majority of the commission wanted to keep the offer well below $ 500 million and commit to projects totaling $ 432 million.
“We are all very clear now that we would have benefited from going a little further, but I think a lot of people were nervous that the voters would not support the GO-Bond,” which ultimately received around 70% support Proof, he said, “Voters really want us to invest in things like infrastructure, public safety and parks, and we have underinvested in the GO Bond in terms of cultural facilities and I want to correct that.”
“If we can show that a dozen different cultural institutions are improving, I think voters will overwhelmingly support it,” he added. “Just as you were excited about parks, infrastructure and security, you will also look forward to improving our cultural facilities.”
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