Still, for the past few years — save for the odd immersive activation or this year's Miami Film Festival — the Olympia's gone silent. Now, Miami preservationists are worried the theater's days as a cultural venue and institution are numbered.
Miami officials are weighing handing over the reins of the Olympia to the Pitbull-backed SLAM Academy, which is affiliated with for-profit charter-school operator Academica. Though details are scant, the plan would commit SLAM to restoring the theater in exchange for the school to use the venue as part of its daily operations. If the deal goes through, it's unclear whether the theater would remain open to the public and who would be in charge of programming.
Preservationists and local cultural groups are rallying against the proposal, claiming the process has been rushed without allowing sufficient time for public comment. The city hosted a community discussion on the proposal on Monday, July 14, and will host another this evening and tomorrow, Thursday, July 17, at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
Save The Olympia, a community organization launched by pianist Orlando Alonso in response to the proposal, has announced it plans to rally outside the theater this afternoon ahead of a City of Miami community meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. The organization plans to hold a press conference to express its opposition and discuss alternatives to the city's proposal.
