Despite months of speculation that the USA television series “Burn Notice” might leave Miami, the show has reached a “handshake deal” with the City of Miami to stay in its current location, adjacent to City Hall, for one more year, Miami Today reported. The 107,000-square-foot space has served as the shows primary film studio through six season, adding millions of dollars to the local economy. The agreement — brokered by Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff — raises Fox Television Studios rent to $450,000 a year from $240,000. However, the deal must be approved by the full Miami commission before it is official.
As part of its Coconut Grove Waterfront Master Plan, the city wants to demolish the building to make way for a waterfront park. “These are odd times economically and this is a one-time situation,” said Leah Sokolwsky, president of advocacy group. “I think it’s great that the city has offered this facility to [Fox subsidiary] TVM Productions for these all these years. I’m amazingly happy and hopeful at the outcome. It shows they do get it — they do understand the value of this industry.” [Miami Today] – Christopher Cameron