10-Story Downtown LED Billboard May Glow In New Deal

The future of downtown Miami’s last massive LED billboard — a 10-story digital display outside the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) — could be soon be decided through a proposed settlement that would keep the sign operational under new conditions.

On September 25, Miami city commissioners are scheduled to vote on a deal that would allow PAMM to continue running the billboard in exchange for at least $500,000 in annual payments to the city and compliance with new restrictions on brightness and operating hours.

If approved, the agreement would end a long-standing legal dispute and preserve the high-profile sign, which remains the only one permitted under a now-repealed ordinance.

Background

In May 2023, commissioners repealed a previous resolution that had allowed for large, illuminated digital signs — up to 100 feet tall and 1,080 square feet — at several cultural venues, including PAMM and the Adrienne Arsht Center. Commissioner Damian Pardo, who represents the area, led the effort to roll back the ordinance, citing concerns about visual pollution and quality of life for nearby residents.

By that time, PAMM had already secured a permit for its digital sign. But when new outdoor advertising rules took effect, the city classified the billboard as a “non-conforming use” and claimed the museum had violated its lease by installing it on city-owned land. A legal battle followed: PAMM sued to block the city from enforcing a notice of default, and the city countersued to clarify the billboard’s status.

Proposed Settlement Terms

Now, after more than a year of litigation, a proposed agreement would allow the sign to remain under specific conditions:

  • Annual Payment: PAMM must pay the city a minimum of $500,000 per year.
  • Operating Hours: The sign must be turned off between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily.
  • Brightness Limits: The display must not exceed 500 nits from sunset to sunrise, with sensors to adjust brightness automatically based on ambient light.
  • Light Spillover: Ambient light from the sign must not increase illumination by more than 0.3 foot-candles at a distance of 250 feet.

If the commission approves the deal, the city manager will be authorized to finalize the agreement — allowing downtown’s last towering digital billboard to keep shining, within limits.

Source: Miami Today News