Spotlight 106-250523-2

Construction Mistake Jeopardizes Playhouse

City of Miami officials said Friday that the exterior walls of the playhouse could collapse because of a construction mistake that caused a partial collapse inside the building earlier this week.

By Don Finefrock

The partial collapse of the Coconut Grove Playhouse earlier this week was caused by a construction mistake that severely compromised the structural integrity of the historic theater’s roof and exterior walls, a City of Miami spokeswoman confirmed Friday.

“During the demolition process, a load-bearing wall on the second floor was mistakenly removed, causing a partial collapse of the third floor. As a result, the roof structure has been severely compromised, and the exterior wall facing Main Highway is now unstable,” the City of Miami said in a written statement shared with the Spotlight.

“Two preliminary engineering assessments, completed on May 22, 2025, confirmed that the affected exterior walls pose a serious risk of collapse,” the city added.

The twin assessments prompted city officials to close a busy stretch of Main Highway to traffic on between Franklin Avenue and Commodore Plaza on Friday morning in “an abundance of caution,” in the words of one city staffer.

A fence was erected around the front of the theater and construction workers were seen on site Friday assembling what appeared to be wooden bracing. What steps, if any, have been taken to secure the building was not immediately clear. Also unclear: how long Main Highway will remained closed.

How a Coffee Truck Became a Gathering Spot

Foodie Park Miami’s grand opening in the West Grove has created a hub for community gathering, entertainment and a well-rounded culinary experience – and it all began with a coffee truck.

By Amanda Clegg

To Javier Olivardia and his wife Diana Franco Moreno, Panamanian coffee is the best in the world – a homegrown brew with a sweet, high-quality flavor that doesn’t compare to anything else you can find in Miami.

While living in their native Panama, the couple would travel to the United States multiple times a year. Each time they did, their family here would remind them to bring one thing and one thing only: coffee.

“That was the only thing they requested,” Olivardia said.

After moving to Miami just before the pandemic, Olivardia and Franco Moreno found a business opportunity in their love of Panamanian coffee.

Rosado, Regalado Face Off in District 4 Special Election

There has been no shortage of mudslinging and drama in a district race that is certain to reset the balance of power on the Miami City Commission.

By Izzy Kapnick

Voters will soon head to the polls to decide who should join an often-fractured Miami City Commission by filling the vacant District 4 seat.

Jose Regalado and Ralph Rosado face off in a June 3 special election to replace longtime commissioner Manolo Reyes who died in April following a battle with leukemia. The winner will serve out the remainder of Reyes’ term ending in November 2027.

District 4 encompasses communities from Coral Gate to Shenandoah to Flagami – and the seat could represent a critical swing vote on issues of interest to nearby Coconut Grove.

The winning candidate will be poised to take the reins as one of most powerful municipal politicians in Florida, joining a five-member commission that holds sway over a more-than $1.7 billion annual operating budget and the future of development in Miami.

A major shift in voting dynamics on the commission remains the backdrop. In 2023, Miami residents opted for a commission overhaul when they elected reform-minded District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo and chose Miguel Gabela for the District 1 seat over longtime Commissioner Alex Díaz de la Portilla, who was embroiled in a now-dismissed corruption case.

Letters

Readers react to recent stories in the Spotlight about crime, City Hall reform, and the partial demolition of the Coconut Grove Playhouse…

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Where We’ll Be

Perfect Picnics for Memorial Day Weekend

Celebrate Caribbean heritage with history, heart, and a legendary guest speaker – Dr. Marvin Dunn – who makes history come alive. Join the discussion and dive into stories that make Little Bahamas unforgettable! Honoring Legacy: People and Places of Little Bahamas. MDC Gibson Education Center, 3629 Grand Avenue. Friday 5/23 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Free.

Start Memorial Day Weekend right. Grab your picnic blanket and bring the whole crew for Family Fun Day– a fun-filled afternoon at Armbrister Park. Chairs, snacks, and good vibes are strongly encouraged! Armbrister Park, 4000 Grand Avenue. Saturday 5/24 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. Free.

Fishing with America’s Finest. Reel in the fun with food trucks, live music, and a fishing competition honoring our veterans. No fishing license needed — just bring your good spirits! Shake-A-Leg Foundation, 2620 South Bayshore Drive. Saturday 5/24 from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. Be there for the fish weighing at 3:30 p.m. Free.

Keep that picnic blanket with you and bring the sun screen too as you head over to South Beach. There you’ll witness jaw-dropping military and first responder displays that’ll have you looking skyward and seaward in awe. It’s a free blockbuster weekend for all ages! Hyundai Air & Sea Show: “The Greatest Show Above the Earth.” The beach at Lummus Park, 1130 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. Saturday 5/24 and Sunday 5/25. All day. Free.

On your way back from the beach, cool off at the Frost Science Museum. They’ll be staying open late just for you. “Science battles” are a fun new feature that kids and adults can participate in. A scavenger hunt serves as the qualifier for this participatory stage show. Just what your little over-achiever will thrill to. It doesn’t stop there. Bring the family and your curiosity for planetarium magic, aquarium encounters, and endless interactive exhibits. Frost Science Museum, 1101 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami. Saturday 5/24 and Sunday 5/25. Open until 7:00 p.m. Regular admission.

Find your own perfect picnic spot with the help of the Commodore Trail map. The trail’s friends group shows you where you can find 17 different waterfront vistas, all within walking distance. A perfect morning – or evening – spot for a moment of calm, reflection or great conversation.

Go for the science but stay for the romance, this time on a different beach as the sun sets. Gaze at the cosmos with fellow star lovers, telescopes, and tasty treats. Bring your questions and your favorite chair for a night under the stars with the South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park (near Pavilion D-18), 1200 South Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne. Wednesday 5/28 from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. $10 donation + park entrance fee. P.S. – It’s turtle nesting season, so keep your eyes open for a treat.

Save Me a Seat

Save two seats for Miami Bahamas Goombay Festival that takes over Grand Avenue from 37th Avenue to Elizabeth Street. The Junkanoo – a centuries-old Bahamian tradition marked by rhythmic drumming, elaborate costumes and street processions – is the centerpiece of the celebration. Friday 6/6 to Sunday 6/8. Free.

Green thumbs, rejoice! Grab native plants, pollinator-friendly goodies, and expert tips to turn your garden into a buzzing, blooming paradise. Tropical Audubon’s Go-Native Plant Sale. Steinberg Nature Center, 5530 Sunset Drive, Miami. Saturday 6/7 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Free entry, items for purchase.