Miami Omni CRA announces request for proposals for Miami Entertainment Complex

MIAMI - Sept. 11, 2013 - PRLog -- MIAMI, Sept. 11, 2013 —The Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency (Miami Omni CRA) today announced it is seeking proposals from qualified bidders to design, build, operate and manage a major film and television studio located in Miami’s Media and Entertainment District, just west of the Arsht Performing Arts Center.

“The creation of this state-of-the-art mixed-use studio is a major step toward expanding and bringing stability to the region’s creative arts industry,” said Miami Omni CRA Chairman Marc D. Sarnoff. “The Miami Entertainment Complex (MEC), designed to serve major movies, television series and independent filmmakers, will bring numerous benefits to our local and regional community including: millions of dollars annually in positive economic impact, the creation of hundreds of jobs paying on average $75,000 per year plus benefits, and the revitalization of the Omni District.”

Plans for the MEC include 50-foot ceiling heights, approximately 70,000 SF of studio space including two fully operational film sound stages of 10,000 to 12,000 SF, a motion capture studio designed for digital imaging, 3-D animation and gaming and 12,000 SF of office and accessory rooms. The Miami Omni CRA owns the land and existing structure and will reimburse the winning bidder up to $10.5 million in development costs.

“We are looking to reignite the film industry in South Florida and it is essential that we put in place the infrastructure  ­– including sound stages, editing suites, screening rooms and production offices ­– that will make the Omni and surrounding neighborhood the focal point in building a thriving film and television industry,” said Pieter A. Bockweg, executive director of the Miami Omni CRA.

In recent years, the State of Florida has invested more than $240 million in incentives for the film industry. “We will actively seek support from the Florida legislature for those tax incentives that attract and retain the entertainment industry,” said Bockweg.

As part of the overall redevelopment of the Media and Entertainment District, the Miami Omni CRA has committed $6 million to the reconstruction of N.E. 14^th St. from N.E. 2^nd Ave. to N.W. 1^st Ave. providing streetscape enhancements that connect the Performing Arts Center with the Media and Entertainment District. These improvements include new wider sidewalks, decorative pavement, new curb and gutter and a 12” water main upgrade to help promote and attract future development along the corridor.

The full RFP for the Miami Entertainment Complex is available on the Miami Omni CRA’s website at http://www.miamicra.com/omnimidtown/MECRFP.

A pre-bid conference will held on September 16 and proposals are due on October 9. The Miami Omni CRA selection committee anticipates selecting a winning bidder by the end of 2013.

About the Miami Omni CRA
The Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency was created to preserve and enhance the tax base of the Omni Redevelopment Area. The CRA is successfully accomplishing this goal by removing longstanding slum and blight conditions, and where feasible, by funding rehabilitative activities, upgrades to infrastructure, façade improvements, and job training and economic development programs. The CRA’s mission is to improve the quality of life for residents and stakeholders within the redevelopment areas through activities and programs that create new job opportunities, substantially improve the quality of the housing stock, and improve the physical appearance of the redevelopment area.

For more information about the Miami Omni CRA log onto: http://www.miamicra.com/omnimidtown.