WHAT: Seminole Theatre Renovation Kick-Off
WHEN: Tuesday, April 21, 2015 5:30 PM
WHERE: Historic Seminole Theatre at 104 N. Krome Ave., Homestead, FL 33030
The City of Homestead invites its residents to celebrate the start of renovations to the Historic Seminole Theatre with a kick-off ceremony on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at 5:30 PM. The ceremony will take place looking towards the historic Seminole Theatre in the adjacent Losner Park, located at 104 North Krome Avenue. Attendees at the event will include Homestead’s Mayor and City Council as well as representatives from the project contractor, Munilla Construction Management, and the project architect, designel, llc.
The renovation of the Seminole Theatre as a multi-purpose cultural center is part of the overall revitalization of Downtown Homestead—a plan to boost economic, cultural, and community life. Already, the process is well underway. The City of Homestead recently opened its Temporary Police Station, which will house the Homestead Police Department until the new Downtown Police Station is completed. The City also held a Topping-Off Ceremony for its new Downtown City Hall 60 days ahead of schedule. Funding for the Seminole Theatre renovation was provided thanks to massive voter approval in the May 2014 Special Election. The majority of Homestead voters, 64%, voted in favor of the $5 million Bond to renovate the Historic Seminole Theatre as a cultural center.
The historic structure, originally built in 1921, was first restored in 1940 with the iconic Art Deco façade. The theatre was mainly used as a movie house until it closed its doors in 1979. In 1992, it suffered a near total loss as a result of Hurricane Andrew. Since then, it has undergone an exterior renovation and expansion of space with the addition of a north wing and a south building. The current project will focus mainly on interior renovations.
The cultural center will host a variety of events from conventions and meetings to film festivals and concerts. It will also provide space for community artists to teach music, dance, photography, and art as well as providing space for community college students to take performing art classes. The revitalized Seminole Theatre will provide Homestead-area families and youth with a much-needed public arts and educational facility for weekend, after-school, and summertime enrichment activities.
