ACE Theater receives national historic designation
From The Real Deal, "ACE Development Company, can now focus on its plans to renovate of the property into a multi-use entertainment venue, according to ACE attorney Mark Grafton." The theater is owned by long-time Grovites, the Wallace family.
“We are extremely excited about unlocking the development potential,” Grafton told TRD. “Being placed on the register allows us to sell transferable development rights, makes the ACE Theatre eligible for federal and some state grants, and it also unlocks a 20 percent federal tax credit which will make it more appealing to outside investors.”
"I toured the ACE theater a few months ago with the Wallace family that owns it. The potential for this building is great. Now that it's historically designated and protected it will be here for generations to come and can unlock funds to help with the redevelopment. County commissioner Xavier Suarez has also expressed his interest in seeing this gem restored and put back on the cultural map," says District Commissioner Ken Russell.
We have heard the same thing about the Coconut Grove Playhouse which has been dormant for over 10 years now. So let's see which property is developed first.
Let's start the countdown now and see how long it takes for something to happen. Ready, set, go . . .
posted by Tom Falco at 10:00 AM
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2 Comments:
Yes, congratulations are definitely in order for the Wallace Family. They’ve tried for years to get this historic building back in use in the heart of “the Land that Time Forgot” aka Viilage West’s Grand Avenue. I have photos in my office from 1961 that show a very modest Grand Avenue but with the “Super Butcher Shop”, the “Grand Restaurant”, “Jack’s Garage”, “Mr. Norman’s Coin Laundry”, and the “Pine Inn”, all with late model Buicks and Oldsmobiles and Plymouth LaSalles, and Chryslers and Fords and Chevies and Caddies—all OWNED by residents of Village West. Drive down Grand now and see what’s happened in the 55 years since then. There’s plenty of blame to go around, but what’s needed is action that conforms to the numerous charrettes and planning studies already long completed, starting with a public parking garage that will allow the Ace Theater to reopen. Nobody can turn back the clock, and a Grand Avenue with businesses predominantly owned by local residents is not going to happen again, but this forgotten boulevard can become part of a larger Coconut Grove community, black and white. It will take leadership and good will, both in short supply these days. One just has to remember that there was only one good thing the gods placed in Pandora’s Box along with all the ills that beset us, and that is Hope.
Thanks for your comments Andy, we too are frustrated that all of the effort and creativity that went into those charrettes and planning studies has come to so little. As my wife Cindy recalls from having participated in some, they were well organized, attended and some led by Elizabeth Plater Zybert; the potential products of those efforts were excellent. We share your hope that the Wallace Family will be able to make the Ace Theater the next thriving business in a resurgent West Grove.
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