Coconut Grove Playhouse is our Notre Dame
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Both Notre Dame Cathedral and the Coconut Grove Playhouse hold a special place in the hearts of those communities. Notre Dame shall rise like a phoenix and be restored after its devastating fire. The Coconut Grove began its decline as a result of financial mismanagement. It’s physical demise was brought about as demolition by neglect. The powers that be saw this as a opportunity to develop a parking garage, condos and retail shops. They saw it as an opportunity to employ their preferred architectural film and artistic director.
The battle lines were drawn early. Either you supported FIU's plans to demolish 2/3 of the structure or you supported total historic preservation and restoration.
I respectfully submit a third alternative to be considered.
Many important buildings were damaged or totally destroyed during wars and earthquakes. Those cities had the same two choices that we have been offered in the Grove face with our Playhouse.
They chose to save what remains and build a new what was lost. They researched the archival plans, photos, color swatches and architecture details.
We have successfully accomplished the same with the Biltmore hotel, Pan Am Terminal (Miami City Hall), Freedom Tower (Miami News) and Gusman Theater (Olympia).
It’s time to bring back the Coconut Grove Playhouse. It’s time we saved what remains and build a new but in its original style, what is too far gone. It is time to hire a respected historic preservation architect like a Richard Heisenbottle. And since he is the best example of a Richard Heisenbottle, I think the choice should obviously be him. After all, he has returned to us all those great buildings that we so much admire and help to make our communities unique.
It’s important that all District 2 Commission Candidates position themselves on the right side of history. If they truly care about Coconut Grove and it’s residents, than they need to support the return of The Coconut Grove Playhouse. Save what remains and build a new in its original style, what is too far gone.
Harry Gottlieb
Coconut Grove
The battle lines were drawn early. Either you supported FIU's plans to demolish 2/3 of the structure or you supported total historic preservation and restoration.
I respectfully submit a third alternative to be considered.
Many important buildings were damaged or totally destroyed during wars and earthquakes. Those cities had the same two choices that we have been offered in the Grove face with our Playhouse.
They chose to save what remains and build a new what was lost. They researched the archival plans, photos, color swatches and architecture details.
We have successfully accomplished the same with the Biltmore hotel, Pan Am Terminal (Miami City Hall), Freedom Tower (Miami News) and Gusman Theater (Olympia).
It’s time to bring back the Coconut Grove Playhouse. It’s time we saved what remains and build a new but in its original style, what is too far gone. It is time to hire a respected historic preservation architect like a Richard Heisenbottle. And since he is the best example of a Richard Heisenbottle, I think the choice should obviously be him. After all, he has returned to us all those great buildings that we so much admire and help to make our communities unique.
It’s important that all District 2 Commission Candidates position themselves on the right side of history. If they truly care about Coconut Grove and it’s residents, than they need to support the return of The Coconut Grove Playhouse. Save what remains and build a new in its original style, what is too far gone.
Harry Gottlieb
Coconut Grove
posted by Tom Falco at 4:00 AM
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