Miami may scale back its downtown billboards aims

A year after Miami expanded its outdoor advertising sites, the city commission may reverse the decision and return to just the three places allowed under a 2015 law.

Today (1/25), the commission is to hear a resolution to repeal a policy that allows outdoor ad signs at ten government-owned sites. If approved, the measure would reinstate the 2015 law that allows for billboards up to 750 square feet at the James L. Knight Center, the Olympia Theater/Gusman Center for the Performing Arts and the Miami Children’s Museum.

In January 2023, the commission amended the sign ordinance to add Bayfront Park, Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, Maurice A. Ferré Park, and any government-owned location within the Omni or Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agencies to the list of properties where outdoor billboards are allowed.

Additionally, Bayfront Park, PAMM, Adrienne Arsht Center and Maurice Ferré Park were deemed Digital Free Standing Sites, which permits larger two-sided signs up to 1,800 square feet.

The city believed that measure would generate revenue necessary to maintain and improve government-owned properties within the city.

Now, one of the commission’s newest members is seeking to revert to the original outdoor ad ordinance adopted in July 2015 and remove the locations added via the January 2023 resolution.

The proposal, sponsored by Commissioner Damian Pardo, would provide for outdoor ads on principal buildings at three city-owned venues: the James L. Knight Center, The Olympia Theater/Gusman Center for the Performing Arts and the Miami Children’s Museum.

It also would remove references that allow advertising on Department of Off Street Parking facilities and Digital Free Standing Sign Sites. If approved today, the item would need to pass a second reading to become official.