MIAMI—The Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency has unanimously approved a contract with EUE/Screen Gems Studios for the development and operation of a movie studio and other facilities that will be part of the Miami Entertainment Complex.

Last November, the Miami Omni CRA announced that EUE/Screen Gems Studios was picked as the top ranked bidder to design, build, operate and manage the major film and television studio, which will be located at 50 NW 14th St, just west of the Arsht Performing Arts Center. The MEC will serve major movies, television series and independent filmmakers, Miami Omni CRA officials state.

The Miami Entertainment Complex will provide production crews with 50-foot ceiling heights and approximately 70,000 square feet of studio space including two fully operational film sound stages of 15,000 square feet and 12,000 square feet of office, editing suites, and accessory rooms.

"The final contract took approximately three months to negotiate, and the project has been put on a 14-to 16-month fast-track construction schedule. The Miami Omni CRA, which owns the land and existing structure, will reimburse EUE/Screen Gems Studios up to $11.5 million in development costs," stated Pieter A. Bockweg, executive director of the Miami Omni CRA after Wednesday evening's contract vote. "This agreement was negotiated with the intent of creating a long-term public private partnership."

EUE/Screen Gems Studios owns and operates film and television production facilities in New York City, Atlanta, and Wilmington, NC. The Wilmington studio is the largest production studio in the United States outside of California, with 10 sound stages that encompass more than 150,000 square feet.