No movement at the Playhouse

The Coconut Grove Playhouse was brought up at the Village Council meeting last week. According to Patrick Sessions, head of the Council, the old Board of Directors and the current development company are "at odds."

Patrick would like to start a committee to possibly help break the logjam. Too many egos are involved (mostly on side of the board) and it would be a good idea for them to start thinking of Coconut Grove and not just themselves.

So far, while Joseph Adler has been brought in from the GableStage to operate the theater, nothing has been done on the construction end. $20 million dollars is available, which was designated by Miami-Dade County's capital-improvement funds in 2004, but the money can be taken away at any time. This is a county project, not a city project.

Ron Nelson, Chief of Staff for Commissioner Marc Sarnoff feels that it's a good idea for everyone to pressure the current board and get them to make a move. Patrick feels that if it needs to go to court, that needs to be facilitated and that may be the only way to get the inept board to make a decision.

Village Council member Michelle Niemeyer brought up a good point in that the board may be liable if the $20 million is revoked because of their apathy. The board has denied access to their records, so something is up there.