We Can (and Must) Stop the Demolition of the Coconut Grove Playhouse
This is a reprint of the Save the Coconut Grove Playhouse coalition March 2024 newsletter (see original here)
We Can Stop the Demolition of the Coconut Grove Playhouse
After a decade of Demolition by Neglect, Miami Dade County is now poised to proceed with the devastating action of demolishing the historic COCONUT GROVE PLAYHOUSE, but we can stop them!
The County Plan HAS NOT Been Approved by the City of Miami or State Historic Preservation Boards
The City has allowed its Planning Zoning and Appeals Board (PZAB) to directly issue a demolition waiver without the approval of its Historic Environmental & Preservation Board (HEPB).
The State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has not requested the mandatory review by the State’s Division of Historic Resources in accordance with Florida Statute 267 for historic properties owned by the State.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Write to Secretary of State, Cord Byrd. Request that the State follow the law and adhere to Florida Statute 267, which requires a review of the plan for the Coconut Grove Playhouse by the Division of Historic Resources.
Donate to our legal fund. Attorney David Winker has filed an appeal to halt the demolition on behalf of concerned residents. No donation is too small. We need everyone to participate!
TOGETHER WE CAN SAVE THE COCONUT GROVE PLAYHOUSE!
Why Size Matters
Currently held under a 99-year lease by Miami Dade County and FIU, plans include the demolition of 83% of the Playhouse, replacing it with a 300-seat auditorium (smaller than local high school auditoriums), falling short of the typical size of a League of Resident Theater (LORT).
The University of Miami’s Center for Urban and Community Design and AMS Planning & Research recommend the Playhouse's rehabilitation into a two-theater facility with a 600-seat main stage and a 200-300 seat smaller venue. The County's plan deviates from professional recommendations and the voter’s mandate.
In 2013, Miami Dade County and FIU signed a lease with the State of Florida, contrary to professional advice, for a mixed-use commercial retail center with a 300-seat auditorium, with no mention of demolition, preventing the Playhouse from regaining its prominent League of Resident Theatre (LORT) status.
The 2017 the City Commission supported a 600-seat theater, contingent on private contributions, and in May 2019, architect Richard Heisenbottle presented a restoration plan showcasing a 700-seat main stage theater and 300-seat black box theater. The County's Plan, proposing 83% demolition, was also on the table. The City Commission ultimately upheld the 600-seat plan; a crucial detail omitted by Miami Dade County.
As we navigate this critical juncture, we call on our community to rally behind the full restoration and renovation of the Playhouse, preserving its historic significance according to the national standards, while integrating modern theater technology, ensuring a vibrant future as a cultural masterpiece.
