03 Mar FORMER CLYDE KILLEN’S POOL HALL POISED TO BECOME ANCHOR FOR OVERTOWN’S ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT
MIAMI, FL | March 3, 2017 – On Feb 27, 2017, the Southeast Overtown / Park West Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners approved a development agreement with the Marcus Samuelson Development Group, LLC (MSDG) to turn the former Clyde Killen’s Pool Hall into a restaurant / entertainment venue. Their proposal includes establishing a premier dining and entertainment destination, embracing and inspired by the history of Overtown.
Marcus Samuelsson is an internationally acclaimed celebrity chef who owns several successful restaurants, including Red Rooster in New York City. He has also appeared on several television shows, including the Today Show, Iron Chef, Top Chef Masters and Parts Unknown with Anthony Bourdain. Located in the Folklife Village/ Overtown entertainment district, the historic landmark was once owned and operated by famed music promoter Clyde Killen’s. During the 1950’s and 60’s, Mr. Killen’s brought legendary entertainers such as Count Basie, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Patti Labelle, and Ella Fitzgerald into Overtown. In an effort to highlight and preserve the historical significance of the former pool hall, the CRA purchased the building and invested $850,000 into renovations.
The new restaurant is poised to become an anchor for Overtown’s Entertainment District, and is within walking distance to other historic landmarks such as the Historic Lyric Theater Cultural Arts Complex, the former Lawson E. Thomas Building and the Overtown Performing Arts Center (Former Ebenezer Church). The CRA Board also authorized the sale of the property to MSDG for$1,500,000 and a grant in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 to assist with the build out of the restaurant.