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The saga surrounding the restoration of the Coconut Grove Playhouse is entering its next act as the county has applied for a special exception to demolish the building.
Miami-Dade County filed an application with the City of Miami on Oct. 26 requesting a waiver to permit minor deviations from the Miami 21 Code to allow for demolition within the neighborhood conservation district where the playhouse is located. The waiver is currently under review by the city’s zoning department.
Per the Miami 21 Code, the intent of the Coconut Grove Neighborhood Conservation District, NCD-3, is to establish a protective series of legislative elements to preserve the historic character of its residential areas, enhance its natural features and protect the architectural variety.
The county’s proposal to the city for a special exception comes as several Coconut Grove residents who oppose the demolition are engaged in a lawsuit against the county. At the end of August, 14 plaintiffs represented by attorney David Winker filed a complaint seeking a declaration that the county acted unconstitutionally and outside its statutory powers and an injunction prohibiting the county from using bond funds for its demolition plans.
According to the lawsuit filing, on Nov. 2, 2004, the voters of Miami-Dade County approved a ballot measure for a bond issue to in part fund reconstruction of the Coconut Grove Playhouse to restore its structural integrity and add to its performance and educational capabilities.
Now, the county seeks to use the $23.6 million of bond money approved by the voters to demolish about 80% of the Coconut Grove Playhouse, the suit says. The county’s plan would reduce seats in the playhouse from 1,130 to 300 and replace 60% of the performance space with leased commercial space.
“There’s this $20 million bond and that’s what they’re using to build this mall, and we’re saying you can’t use the bond money to do this,” Mr. Winker said. “What we’re saying is this money is to restore the playhouse and expand its cultural offering.”
The plaintiffs argue misuse of the bond funds violates the Florida Constitution and that county’s plan will diminish the playhouse’s capabilities, which the electorate voted to protect almost two decades ago. Mr. Winker now represents 68 plaintiffs in the case against the county.
“This is such an egregious example of doing what we don’t need. We don’t need more retail space,” said Mr. Winker. “We need more public spaces.”
The playhouse site is owned by the state and is leased to Miami-Dade County. A letter from Jason Aldridge, deputy state historic preservation officer, to the City of Miami Planning Department reviewing the county’s plans said the demolition of the playhouse would have an adverse effect and result in loss of the property’s historic character and integrity.
Efforts to preserve the Coconut Grove Playhouse forge ahead on two legal fronts, fighting the county’s demolition waiver and the ongoing lawsuit seeking an injunction barring the county from utilizing the bond money. Terran Steed, a zoning plans examiner for the city, said the waiver is not final and that he is conducting a final review of the application.
https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2023/01/03/city-reviews-application-to-raze-coconut-grove-playhouse/
