Fourteen Miami-Dade County residents are suing the county over its redevelopment plans for the historic Coconut Grove Playhouse, arguing that county officials are attempting to use bond funds in a way that wasn’t authorized by county voters.
The complaint filed in the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida points out that county voters in 2004 approved a ballot measure allowing the use of bond funds for a Coconut Grove restoration project that would “restore its structural integrity and add to its performance and educational capabilities.
But the plaintiffs argue that the current county plans for the site call for the use of $23.6 million to tear down 80% of the playhouse’s structure and put in its place mostly leased commercial space. The redevelopment plan also calls for a downsized theater of only 300 seats, less than a third of the original 1,130 seats, the lawsuit states.
The plaintiffs allege that the state Constitution prohibits the use of the designated funds because the project does not square with what voters intended. The lawsuit was filed Aug. 31, with further hearings pending in the 11th Judicial Circuit.
“Plaintiffs also seek an injunction prohibiting the county from utilizing the bond money in the manner intended by the county to implement the county plan because it violates the Florida Constitution,” the complaint states.
One of the plaintiffs, Anthony Parrish, said the plaintiffs were ready to work with the county on a compromise that makes the concept of a live theatrical venue more viable.
“We who are involved with "Save the Coconut Grove Playhouse" have always been willing to enter into a reasonable compromise on the size of the main theatrical performance venue,” Parrish told the Florida Record. “While the original seating was once as high as 1,130 seats, we have been willing to look at what the ‘optimal size' for 2022 and forward could be, which might be as low as two-thirds of that.”
Opponents are unwilling to go along with destroying 80% of the site and putting in its place commercial restaurants, bars and stores, and a simple 300-seat “black box” venue, he said.
“The county/lessee has come around, at our urging, to include educational spaces and opportunities for involvement by the adjacent residents” of the Little Bahamas neighborhood, Parrish said.
But opponents remain opposed to the scope of the plan’s commercial component and want to see a greater commitment to historic preservation guidelines, since the playhouse has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018.