Court clears way to partly demolish Coconut Grove Playhouse
At the end of August, the Third District Court of Appeal dismissed the latest petition filed by city residents to stop county plans to partially demolish the Coconut Grove Playhouse, clearing the path for the project to proceed.
The Playhouse’s fate has been in limbo for years, dating back to 2004 when county voters approved a far-ranging bonding measure that would have under one section aided its reconstruction, restore its structural integrity and add to its performance and educational capabilities. The historic theater shut its doors in 2006 as local officials embarked on a decade-long discussion on how to best revive the aging landmark.
In 2021, the county announced plans to use $23.6 million of the bond money to demolish 80% of the Playhouse and replace 60% of the performance space with leased commercial space.
In August 2022, 14 Coconut Grove residents represented by attorney David Winker filed a complaint seeking a declaration that the county was acting unconstitutionally and outside its statutory powers as well as an injunction prohibiting the county from using bond funds for its demolition plans.
In October 2022, the county applied to the city for a waiver to permit minor deviations from the zoning code to allow for demolition within the neighborhood conservation district where the site is located. The city granted the waiver with conditions in January 2023.
Mr. Winker then appealed the zoning board decision on Feb. 10, 2023, on behalf of two neighbors whose properties abut the Playhouse.
Over the next year, the legal battle escalated in the 11th Judicial Circuit Court until it ruled in favor of the county on Feb. 9. The ruling allowed most of the demolition to proceed, except for the front façade facing Main Highway.
At the time, Mr. Winker told Miami Today that he anticipated the case would go to the Third District Court of Appeals. The case was appealed to the district court in June, where it was ultimately dismissed on Aug. 29.
After the February ruling in favor of the county’s plans, District Two Commissioner Damian Pardo who represents Coconut Grove said in a statement, “In collaboration with Miami-Dade County, we are steadfast in our commitment to include the voices of our residents in every step of this redevelopment process. Our community must have a substantial role in shaping the future of this iconic site. To this end, we are exploring the most effective formats to ensure maximum resident input and participation.”
“Working with the City of Miami, we now can move forward with preserving and rebuilding the Coconut Grove Playhouse, which has remained dormant for too long,” Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and District Seven Commissioner Raquel Regalado said in a joint statement.
“Our first step will be to shore up and preserve the historic elements that will be included in the new Playhouse. While we focus on preserving these important historic elements, we will also be moving forward with the plans and permitting for the new Playhouse,” the statement continues. “Miami theater lovers, historic preservation advocates and neighborhood residents are eager to welcome back a beloved cultural icon. We look forward to working with all of them to put great theater back in the center of Coconut Grove – where it belongs.”
Paul
September 11, 2024 at 5:23 pm
Once again elected officials in the City and County have bent their knees to unfettered developers seeking only a profit by building kore retail stores instead of preserving and strengthening the cultural arts. Worse is the Millions in bond money, approved by voters to restore the Playhouse have been “confiscated” by officials and taken for developers benefit, not the residents.
Mike
September 12, 2024 at 2:32 pm
I’m to P.O.’d to make comment. Just plain dumb.
Roberto Ciccione
September 12, 2024 at 3:49 pm
This is a typical case of holding statutory provisions unconstitutional! The courts must endeavor to save, not destroy. The County can’t move forward unless DEP, the Department of Environmental Protection, in Tallahassee reviews the County’s demolition plans of this National Historic Landmark. This process is called a 267 Review and it has not been done. The County is in violation of the state law and the Secretary of interior state lands, who are the stewards of this Historic building and the land where it stands will need to preview their plan before such a unconstitutional decision be made. Do not call the County’s plan a restoration project. Their plan is a solely demolition plan… 80% of the structure would become rubble!! Citizens voted for its restoration. Isn’t the vote among the most sacred rights we have as Americans? Thank you
William
September 17, 2024 at 11:23 am
Super glad the county is moving forward. The partial demo makes sense. Smaller theater to make way for good shows and balanced events. Even the parking garage is a good idea in that location.
Peter
November 4, 2024 at 6:36 pm
Finally. The only injustice here is ten years of opportunity and cultural experiences wasted by the usual select few people with an axe to grind led by Winker. A disgrace for Coconut Grove to have people like this stopping growth and progress into Making places like coconut grove more walkable, European, cultural. Always the select few that ruin something for everyone. Excited to see coconut grove becoming steps closer to being a world class city.
Darren
November 14, 2024 at 5:04 am
Truly despicable that anyone would defend the destruction of national treasure. The smaller theater will not hold a candle to the original. And as one of the comments says here, it is illegal to skip a significant step in the process. They’re not following the law it appears. Voters voted to restore the theater. Where did the money go?