Q & A
WHO OWNS THE PLAYHOUSE?
WHAT IS THE BACKGROUND OF THE COURT CASE?
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SAVE THE PLAYHOUSE?
- The State of Florida has owned the Playhouse since 2006
- In 2014 the State of Florida leased it to Miami-Dade County and FIU pursuant to a lease that requires the County to RESTORE the Playhouse.
WHAT IS THE BACKGROUND OF THE COURT CASE?
- 2005 The City HEP Board votes 8-0 to designate the entire exterior of the Playhouse as Historic
- 2017 The City HEP Board votes 6-4 to give a conditional approval of the County’s application, but required them to comeback when the plan was more detailed
- 2019 City HEP Board DENIED the County's application which included demotion of 80% of the building
- 2019 The City Commission votes 3-2 to overturn the HEP Board’s denial of demolition
- 2019 Mayor Suarez vetoes the City Commission’s vote, and then the Commission failed to overturn the veto
- 2019 The County appeals to Circuit Court to overturn the Mayor’s veto, and David Winker, Esq. files an amicus brief on behalf of two residents to preserve the entire Playhouse
- 2020 The Circuit Court appeals had a “virtual” hearing before a 3 judge panel on June 16th. A ruling is expected in 30-60 days.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SAVE THE PLAYHOUSE?
- It is one of the few remaining “Old Grove” historic commercial buildings predating incorporation of the City of Miami
- It was built by Bahamian craftsmen and is the gateway to West Grove’s Historic Charles Avenue
- The building is structurally sound as Validated and stated by County
- It is a world-renowned premier performing arts venue
- Demolition of the Nationally designated Historic building would make it ineligible for millions of historic preservation grants and funding
Pledges to the Public made for decades must be honored and
the building should be restored according to historic preservation guidelines.
The County leadership stewarding this project has failed to deliver.
The new Mayor of Miami-Dade County will have the opportunity to
deliver what has been mandated and promised to the
community for more than a decade, a vibrant Coconut Grove Playhouse.
the building should be restored according to historic preservation guidelines.
The County leadership stewarding this project has failed to deliver.
The new Mayor of Miami-Dade County will have the opportunity to
deliver what has been mandated and promised to the
community for more than a decade, a vibrant Coconut Grove Playhouse.