There is no confusion regarding the Playhouse
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
In response to the recent Letter to the Editor by Arquitectonica Principal, Laurinda Spear, that seeks to “clarify” the confusion surrounding the Coconut Grove Playhouse —
There is NO CONFUSION, despite the vast efforts of Arquitectonica, (alleged) preservation architect Jorge Hernandez, and Michael Spring to create as much confusion as possible, so they can demolish our historic Playhouse in broad daylight.
There is NO CONFUSION about the 2004 voter mandate to use our tax dollars for complete restoration of our Playhouse.
There is NO CONFUSION about the intent of the 2005 Historic & Environmental Preservation Board’s 8-0 vote to include our ENTIRE Playhouse on the designation report.
There is NO CONFUSION about the unanimous vote by the State Historic Review Board to nominate our entire Playhouse, including the interior, for the National Register of Historic Places.
There is NO CONFUSION about the recent assertion by the State that, “the significant architectural elements within the historic theater are intact and in very good condition, underneath removable layers of plywood, drywall and plaster that were installed during multiple renovations over the years” — hence the unanimous vote.
There is NO CONFUSION about the precise guidelines for complete restoration that are specifically outlined by the National Park Service for the restoration of buildings that are on the National Register, such as our Coconut Grove Playhouse.
There is NO CONFUSION about our Playhouse being a single building and NOT two buildings, as misrepresented by Arquitectonica, (alleged) preservation architect Jorge Hernandez and Michael Spring.
There is NO CONFUSION about the HEP Board’s recent 6-4 vote against demolishing our historic Playhouse.
There is NO CONFUSION about the motivation for Arquitectonica’s minimized 300-seat theater “room” designed for the property of our demolished historic 1000+ seat theater —
• To meet the Playhouse deed requirement that a theater exist on the property
• To leave plenty of room on the site for a brand new, multiple phase, multistory, mixed-use mega office, retail, condo, parking garage and FIU satellite campus project, known as CocoWalk 2.0.
There is NO CONFUSION about the inappropriateness of FIU’s new bilingual MFA satellite campus on our demolished historic Playhouse site — the gateway to Miami’s first black community.
There is NO CONFUSION about the State being the responsible entity obligated to take over our Playhouse due to the County’s gross violations of their lease agreement with the State. The State will not auction off to a developer, our precious historic cultural resource that they themselves so arduously nominated for the National Register.
THERE IS NO CONFUSION.
There is only fraud, negligence, wanton disregard, collusion, unjust enrichment, disenfranchisement and a severe lack of professional ethics, integrity, dignity and respect.
Sincerely,
Melissa Meyer Assoc. AIA LEED AP BD+C
Adjunct Professor Miami Dade College
School of Architecture and Interior Design
In response to the recent Letter to the Editor by Arquitectonica Principal, Laurinda Spear, that seeks to “clarify” the confusion surrounding the Coconut Grove Playhouse —
There is NO CONFUSION, despite the vast efforts of Arquitectonica, (alleged) preservation architect Jorge Hernandez, and Michael Spring to create as much confusion as possible, so they can demolish our historic Playhouse in broad daylight.
There is NO CONFUSION about the 2004 voter mandate to use our tax dollars for complete restoration of our Playhouse.
There is NO CONFUSION about the intent of the 2005 Historic & Environmental Preservation Board’s 8-0 vote to include our ENTIRE Playhouse on the designation report.
There is NO CONFUSION about the unanimous vote by the State Historic Review Board to nominate our entire Playhouse, including the interior, for the National Register of Historic Places.
There is NO CONFUSION about the recent assertion by the State that, “the significant architectural elements within the historic theater are intact and in very good condition, underneath removable layers of plywood, drywall and plaster that were installed during multiple renovations over the years” — hence the unanimous vote.
There is NO CONFUSION about the precise guidelines for complete restoration that are specifically outlined by the National Park Service for the restoration of buildings that are on the National Register, such as our Coconut Grove Playhouse.
There is NO CONFUSION about our Playhouse being a single building and NOT two buildings, as misrepresented by Arquitectonica, (alleged) preservation architect Jorge Hernandez and Michael Spring.
There is NO CONFUSION about the HEP Board’s recent 6-4 vote against demolishing our historic Playhouse.
There is NO CONFUSION about the motivation for Arquitectonica’s minimized 300-seat theater “room” designed for the property of our demolished historic 1000+ seat theater —
• To meet the Playhouse deed requirement that a theater exist on the property
• To leave plenty of room on the site for a brand new, multiple phase, multistory, mixed-use mega office, retail, condo, parking garage and FIU satellite campus project, known as CocoWalk 2.0.
There is NO CONFUSION about the inappropriateness of FIU’s new bilingual MFA satellite campus on our demolished historic Playhouse site — the gateway to Miami’s first black community.
There is NO CONFUSION about the State being the responsible entity obligated to take over our Playhouse due to the County’s gross violations of their lease agreement with the State. The State will not auction off to a developer, our precious historic cultural resource that they themselves so arduously nominated for the National Register.
THERE IS NO CONFUSION.
There is only fraud, negligence, wanton disregard, collusion, unjust enrichment, disenfranchisement and a severe lack of professional ethics, integrity, dignity and respect.
Sincerely,
Melissa Meyer Assoc. AIA LEED AP BD+C
Adjunct Professor Miami Dade College
School of Architecture and Interior Design
posted by Tom Falco at 9:30 AM
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5 Comments:
I urge Melissa Meyer and all concerned with preserving Coconut Grove's most important public landmark to contact write to members of Congress.
It’s greed.
Michael Spring's public record request. Interesting how he did not request any information regarding other HEP Board members. He was only trying to dispose of Lynn Lewis.
Pursuant to Article I, Section 24 of the Florida Constitution, and Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, we hereby request copies of the following public records:
1. All public records regarding the Coconut Grove Playhouse, regardless of form or format, received or sent by, or otherwise in the custody and control of, City of Miami Historic and Environmental Preservation (HEPB) Board Member Lynn Lewis, including, but not limited to, communications or other records from Ms. Lewis to, or to Ms. Lewis from: any elected or appointed officials, boards or board members, departments, agencies, or employees of the State of Florida, the City of Miami, or Miami-Dade County; Richard Heisenbottle; any member of Dade Heritage Trust; Max Pearl; Lowell Kuvin; Barbara Lange; or Katrina Morris. The time period for records sought pursuant to this request is between December 1, 2017 and the present day. Official agenda packages, published staff recommendations, and final board resolutions provided to HEPB Members by City staff regarding the Coconut Grove Playhouse need not be produced in response to this request.
2. Minutes of all official meetings of the City of Miami HEPB where the Coconut Grove Playhouse was on the agenda, or discussed in any way, between the period of April 7, 2017 and the present day.
3. Minutes of any other official meetings of the City of Miami, or of any other informal or formal community meetings or meetings of any organizations of any kind, where the Coconut Grove Playhouse was on the agenda, or discussed in any way, at which HEPB Member Lynn Lewis was in attendance or in any way participated in the meeting or discussion, between the period of April 7, 2017 and the present day.
Please transmit these records by February 27, 2019 to Michael Spring at michael.spring@miamidade.gov. Time is of the essence as these records are necessary for the County’s preparations for the March 5, 2019 HEPB meeting.
If you have any questions in the interim, you may contact me by email or phone, at (305) 375-5022.
When Bernardo and Laurinda stop illegally cutting the mangroves surrounding their home on the bay, across the street from their ridiculously oversized new ambition, perhaps the residents of Coconut Grove may take their plea seriously. No where else to raze, expand and GO GLASS? Clearly not the right fit on any foot.
Melissa is right-on, there is 'no confusion' regarding the Playhouse; however, 'no collusion' can't be claimed between the City of Miami and developers...
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