Re-elect Marc Sarnoff for City of Miami Commissioner - District 2 » Articles

Million-Dollar Project Pave Way for Hollywood South

Marc — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 02:16:30 +0000

MIAMI – Terms like “Hollywood East” have been tossed around Florida for years. Now, Downtown Miami is taking steps to mark itself as “Hollywood South.”

The City of Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency Board unanimously approved a $1 million allocation to begin planning, design, permitting and initial retrofitting of the Miami Entertainment Complex. MEC will convert an 82,000-square-foot building into a state-of-the-art mixed-use production facility to cultivate the Magic City’s homegrown film community while working to attract new production.

“Downtown Miami is in a unique position to nurture a strong and vibrant film industry,” says Marc Sarnoff, City of Miami commissioner, who also serves as chair of the Omni CRA and sponsored the appropriation. “We have all seen the powerful effect that the City’s exposure in film and TV shows has on tourism and the local economy. Beyond that, there are also many local aspiring filmmakers, budding writers, directors, producers and actors who would thrive in a facility that offered a place to create, collaborate and hone their craft.”

The facility will feature two sound stages, a motion capture studio, as well as editing suites, screening rooms, production offices and rooms for other production functions. The agency estimates it will spend between $7 million to $10 million to complete the project, which will take about 18 to 24 months. The facility is expected to generate more than $260 million in tax incentives and create dozens of high-skilled jobs.

“For decades, Miami has survived on two industries–real estate and tourism,” Sarnoff says. “Like the work we are doing on the biotechnology front, film has the potential to enhance the viability of Miami’s economic future.”

By Jennifer LeClaire

See full article at: http://www.globest.com/news/1967_1967/miami/312605-1.html

Miami Becoming Movie Magic for Hollywood

Marc — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:29:09 +0000

Miami – We already have a Hollywood in South Florida, but what about turning Miami into the Hollywood like the one on the West Coast where all the big movie are made?

Well, steps are being taken to make it happen.

A movie set isn’t the norm for Miami, but the “Rock of Ages” movie set takes up two blocks near the Adrienne Arsht Center. City leaders said it’s a sign of things to come.

“This is the beginning of an industry that Miami has never seen before,” Greg Hauptner, founder of the G Star School of the Arts, said.

Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff agreed saying the movie industry wants to be in Miami.

“To watch this become a movie studio in three months and to see Tom Cruise as the actor… there’s no better calling card,” Sarnoff said. “We’re here, we’re open for business, and we’re ready to go.”

Sarnoff is working with the Omni Community Redevelopment Agency to attract more movies to Miami. Those prospects are exciting for local film buffs and business leaders like Hauptner.

“You’re not only talking about the huge budgets with major films, but the money that rolls over – with new people coming in that will hired for jobs,” he said.

A warehouse near North Miami Avenue and 14th Street is full of props for the Rock of Ages movie now, but in two years it will have two sound stages, editing rooms, and everything else needed to make a major motion picture.

The Omni CRA already has $1 million to start building the MEC, or Miami Entertainment Complex.

Miami leaders said it will bring in millions and give the city more than just real estate and tourism to thrive off of.

Read the full NBC Miami article and video by Christina Hernandez Here

Redevelopment agency approves $1M for MEC film complex

Marc — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 19:07:18 +0000

Miami – The City of Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency Board has approved a $1 million allocation for planning, designing, permitting and initial retrofitting of the Miami Entertainment Complex, GlobeSt.com reported. The project will see an 82,000-square-foot building transformed into a state-of-the-art mixed-use film production facility.

“Downtown Miami is in a unique position to nurture a strong and vibrant film industry,” said Marc Sarnoff, City of Miami commissioner. “We have all seen the powerful effect that the city’s exposure in film and TV shows has on tourism and the local economy. Beyond that, there are also many local aspiring filmmakers, budding writers, directors, producers and actors who would thrive in a facility that offered a place to create, collaborate and hone their craft.”

The facility will feature two sound stages, a motion capture studio, editing suites, screening rooms, production offices and rooms for other production functions. Experts estimate that it will take $7 million to $10 million to complete the project, which will take about 18 to 24 months.

See the full The Real Deal article Here

Coconut Grove Playhouse’s fate still in limbo

Marc — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 02:23:40 +0000

Miami - The historic Coconut Grove Playhouse may no longer host plays, but it’s still getting its share of drama. The stage that once hosted the American premiere of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and a Streetcar Named Desire revival starring Tallulah Bankhed…

…Now windows are boarded gates are rusting and trash litters the property in the heart of the Center Grove entertainment district.

“There has been absolute and total neglect by the board for the last five years,” said City of Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff, who has been an outspoken critic of the board of directors that operates the playhouse. “This is something that is very important to the Grove, something that has been allowed to languish and be dormant for far too long.”

When the doors of the theatre suddenly shut five years ago amid $4 million in debt, Shelley Spivack, chair of the Playhouse’s board, said the building was not emptied of its 50 years worth of archival material, including playbills, costumes, props and photographs.

“Whatever you would find in a theatre is in there,” Spivack said, recognizing that there are items in the building that need to be preserved. “When we closed the building there was no money, and there is no money now.”

Cmdr. Richard Gentry, who oversees patrols in Coconut Grove for the City of Miami Police Department, said that he is unsure what damage, if any, has been done to the Playhouse items, but that officers at the building noted that copper had been taken.

Officers have been instructed to monitor the building extra closely, in search of any homeless people who may be occupying the landmark, Gentry said. Police have connected a couple of homeless people around the building with homeless services in the area…

Read the full article written by the Miami Herald’s Perry Stein Here

“Get Lean in Green Space”

Marc — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 17:03:51 +0000

MIAMI – Will Miamians brave the summer heat to use outdoor rowing machines and elliptical trainers?

They already are, according to city officials, who have spent more than $150,000 installing complete sets of exercise machines in four parks. A fifth is on the way.

The equipment varies from park to park, but generally includes step and twist machines and sit up boards as well as ellipticals and rowers.

All of the equipment in each of the parks is made by the fitness equipment company TriActive and is built to withstand heat and humidity, according to the city. Representatives for the city’s Parks Department said the equipment is popular, and residents use it often.

“I’ve lost 20 pounds since January,” said Dennis Wheeler, a Coconut Grove resident who walks about 10 blocks to Kennedy Park to use the machines three or four times a week. “Outside is not totally convenient though, because it’s so damn hot right now. You do break a sweat faster though.”

Wheeler said he sees a lot of people using the machines at Kennedy Park before they go to work, around 8:30 a.m. Currently unemployed and job hunting, Wheeler said he uses the machines because he gets a free workout, rather than spending extra money for a pricy gym membership.

“$30 a month, that’s food when you’re unemployed,” Wheeler said. “Sitting at a desk job-hunting all day, and being over 45, you really need to take care of yourself.”

The convenience of a free outdoor gym within walking distance is exactly what the city had in mind when they started installing the equipment. Commissioner Marc Sarnoff’s Office spearheaded the initiative about two years ago, after the commissioner reportedly read an article in Men’s Fitness Magazine that listed Miami as one of the fattest cities in America.

The installation of the machines, which according to the Parks Department cost about $42,000 per site, was paid for through city funds earmarked to improve quality of life. The goal was to provide a gym that was free and open to the public, at a time when residents may have been forced to forego their gym memberships and tighten their belts.

In addition to Kennedy Park in the Grove, the equipment has been installed in Legion Memorial Park in the Upper East Side, in Douglas Park near Coral Gables and in Margaret Pace Park, in the condominium neighborhood north of downtown.

An installation was also proposed for Merrie Christmas Park in Coconut Grove, but was moved to the Douglas Park location when residents complained the equipment would interfere with children’s play.

At Pace Park, the equipment was paid for by one of the city’s community redevelopment agencies, which is supposed to improve the quality of life, public infrastructure and amenities in areas that may have been considered blighted. Pace Park is in the redevelopment areas, although it is now surrounded by luxury condos.

“It’s pretty popular,” said David Karsh, spokesman for the CRA. “As soon as we opened in Pace we had a tremendous amount of feedback from the residents who love the park. They take their dog for a walk, drop it off of at home and come back for a workout.”

Though the city has not finalized a time table for the fifth installation, in Kenneth Myers Bayside Park, the project seems to be a success. A spokesperson for Commissioner Sarnoff’s office said they haven’t had any reports of vandalism, and none of the equipment has had to be replaced.

The City of Miami’s installation of exercise equipment in several parks seems to be a popular project. The city plans to install the equipment at another park soon.

By Laura Edwins – Miami Herald

Miami-Dade Seeks More Film Production In County

Marc — Wed, 11 May 2011 21:20:33 +0000

MIAMI — With a little imagination and an abundance of space, movie producers can make anything happen, and the question is whether they will choose to bring the once-lucrative business back to South Florida.

The plot has recently thickened. A few months ago, Miami’s Community Redevelopment Agency purchased a warehouse near 29th Avenue and Northwest 13th Street for about $3 million.

The facility was once used to house old textbooks for Miami-Dade Public Schools. In a few months, however, it will become a state-of-the-art film studio.

“You’ll have the proper heights, you’ll have the proper electric, you’ll have the proper sound proofing,” said CRA board member Marc Sarnoff. “This would allow you to film as if you were in Hollywood.”

The CRA thinks it is just the thing the city needs to lure in major productions. Until now, producers have complained of South Florida’s lack of controlled space.

Watch: Video

Continue reading article at:

http://www.local10.com/entertainment/27854562/detail.html

CBS4 – Heavy Duty Window Screens Cutting Down On So. Fla. Squatters

admin — Thu, 05 May 2011 18:22:41 +0000

MIAMI (CBS4) – From across the street, one building in Miami looks like any other in an industrial area, but the window coverings are made of steel.

The heavy duty covers are protecting the building which is abandoned. Many of the windows are literally broken. The inside is just an empty shell.

Officials say the vacancy attracts all sorts of bad things.

“It brings an element to a neighborhood that wouldn’t ordinarily belong there,” said Marc Sarnoff, Commissioner of District 2 in Miami.

Continue reading this article at:

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2011/05/05/heavy-duty-window-screens-cutting-down-on-so-fla-squatters/

Sarnoff: Bay of Pigs forum offers lessons

marc — Thu, 05 May 2011 14:48:22 +0000

Like many Americans growing up during the 1960s, the Bay of Pigs invasion was for me simply another chapter in our country’s long struggle to stamp out communism. It all became personal for me in 1990 when I met Felix I. Rodriguez, a charismatic veteran of that doomed invasion and a central figure in the CIA’s covert wars in Central America.

I was a young attorney, representing Eugene Hasenfus, whose C-123 cargo plane was shot down over Nicaragua in 1986 as he and his crew were attempting to arm the Contra rebels fighting against the communist Sandinista regime. The injured Hasenfus was the only one to survive the crash. Captured by Sandinista soldiers, who lobbed taunts of “What now, Rambo?” at him, the bedraggled Hasenfus was paraded before the media at the end of a dog leash by Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega.

This was the beginning of the “Iran-Contra affair.”

Continue reading this article at:

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/21/2227783/sarnoff-bay-of-pigs-forum-offers.html#ixzz1PC0C0UHN

CNN – Once tagged America’s fattest city, Miami is shaping up

admin — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 18:22:28 +0000

Miami (CNN) — Waves gently lap at the shore. Palm trees rustle in the breeze. A boat drifts by. For those who like to work out, there’s no better place. This is one of Miami’s new outdoor gyms.

Miami — known for its lively nightlife, tanned skin and tiny clothing — was slapped with a big, pudgy curve ball in 2009, when Men’s Fitness magazine named it the fattest city in America.

“I thought we’d be prettiest city in America,” said Miami City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff. “And interestingly enough, we didn’t come in second or third, we came in the fattest city in America. And I just wanted to change that image.”

Continue reading this article at:

http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/04/06/miami.outdoor.gyms/index.html?iref=storysearch