Unpublished Letter to the Miami Herald

Playhouse Economics

The current County plan for the restoration of the Coconut Grove Playhouse as championed by Commissioner Raquel Regalado will do nothing to return the $25 million in annual revenue to  Coconut Grove businesses the Playhouse generated before it closed in 2006. In fact, the County plan is specifically designed to keep patrons on the property with shops and restaurants.  Historically, in addition to being a world renowned theatrical icon, the Playhouse was an economic driver for the Grove producing 40% of its revenue in 2000.  With only 300 seats a restored Playhouse would be but a a shadow of its historic predecessor which had 1100 main stage seats and a smaller 150 seat venue and would be physically and financially incapable of presenting major theatrical offerings. The gross demolition in the County's plan evoked this statement by the HEP Board, Deputy State Preservation Office Jason Aldridge:  "...demolition may affect the Playhouse's Nation Historic Register designation" which would cause a loss of funding.

      Since the County's plan is untenable  economically, theatrically and regarding historic preservation, it would seem that either the County or the State should take steps to solicit other plans which will actually restore the Playhouse as it was in 2006 with the potential to produce a full range of theater and to produce the revenue needed to revitalize the Grove  It was such a fine time for the Grove and for Miami with world class directors, actors and audiences. And for Grove businesses and employees.