The Historic Tower Theater has been a beacon of Little Havana for over 80 years. The Marquee, built originally with the structure in the 1920's, is iconic  It was the first marquee to show Spanish Title films in the United States. Photographs of the structure and its marquee have been published thousands of times throughout the decades. It remains one of the most visited landmarks by over 4 million visitors each year.  The City of Miami owns the Theater, but has a lease agreement with Miami-Dade College.  Miami-Dade College recently presented the HEP board with plans to remove the original marquee and replace it with an "LED" sign.  The college cited "maintenance costs" and "more visibility from traffic" as the reason for the change.  Notice of the HEP board meeting was never sent to merchants or residents.  As of today the original marquee has been removed.

We ask that Miami-Dade College restore the original marquee and focus their advertising efforts through online channels, and not through electronic blight. Please be sensitive to our community.

Please sign this petition if you support the restoration of the original Tower Theater marquee.