The Grove Playhouse still hasn't been given back

Looks like the "Give it Back" protest fell on deaf ears, no one has given the Coconut Grove Playhouse back. Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez was supposed to get in the middle to settle the outstanding claims and assume ownership for the County, but everything is still where it was. The Miami Herald has a long and winding story today, you really need a program to keep up with the players.

It's a long story, regarding the County, the City and the inept Board of Directors who won't let go. Creditors of course are right in the middle, including the Aries Group, who is the largest one. Gimenez offered $250,000 to the Aries group to settle but they felt that was a slap in the face after all they spent on the property, they have a plan to restore the Playhouse, including retail and parking as part of the project. For some reason, it's up the board to make a decision. I still don't quite understand why the board, who has done nothing for all these years and who don't even live in the county, I don't believe one of the members does, still has a say in the issue.

There is talk of wrapping the Expo Center to save Burn Notice and there's also been talk about wrapping all the trees marked for replacement, but that's probably all just talk, and in the end it really doesn't seem to do much in the way of making change. Writing letters and calling politicians may have more of an effect. By the way, this Friday, July 20, the HEP board is hearing the TreeWatch appeal regarding the Commodore Plaza trees that are slated for demolition, they are asking that all be present if you are free, it's at 12:30 pm at City Hall, 3500 Pan American Drive.