Spotlight 94-250411

Good morning. What we’re covering in today’s Spotlight

New Public Space Design Plans
An FBI Raid on Commodore Plaza
Demolition Plans for the Playhouse
This Week’s Commission Meeting

Plans Unveiled for Kirk Munroe Park, Fuller Street Makeovers

A high-end developer is proposing a sleek redesign of two long-neglected public spaces on either side of a planned five-story, mixed-use project in Center Grove.

By Christopher Pearson

A developer’s vision for a redesigned Kirk Munroe Park and a pedestrian-only Fuller Street in Center Grove received mostly positive reviews this week from a standing-room-only crowd of local residents.

Plans for the park, presented Tuesday by Spencer Morris, the chief executive of Allen Morris Company, feature a new children’s play area, a café, new landscaping and a complete refurbishment of the park’s five tennis courts.

Across Grand Avenue where Fuller Street connects to Main Highway, the short block is reimagined as a heavily landscaped courtyard filled with benches and lounge seating.

“This is by no means a final design; this is a work in progress,” Morris told the crowd. “We’re here tonight to get feedback from the neighborhood so that we can keep improving the design, which has to be approved by the Parks Department.”

The presentation at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club was sponsored by Center Grove Neighbors, a recently launched homeowners association formed, in large part, in response to rising concerns over development pressures in the Grove.

FBI Raids Coconut Grove Art Gallery at Center of Fraud Allegations

Agents remove artwork from Miami Fine Art Gallery following Spotlight report on ongoing fraud allegations against veteran dealer.

By David Villano

A team of FBI investigators descended upon a Coconut Grove art gallery early Wednesday morning. Witnesses say agents were seen removing works of art into two unmarked vans parked outside.

An agent at the scene confirmed that an investigation was underway but could not provide details. An FBI spokesperson did not immediately respond to the Spotlight’s request for comment.

The gallery, Miami Fine Art Gallery, located at 3180 Commodore Plaza, was the subject of a Spotlight investigation last month into allegations of art fraud and other improprieties by veteran Coconut Grove art dealer Leslie “Les” Roberts.

County Moves Ahead on Plans to Demolish Playhouse Auditorium

Nearly 20 years after the playhouse closed, Miami-Dade County appears poised to start work on its controversial restoration plan.

By Izzy Kapnick

After years of legal challenges, Miami-Dade County is moving forward with plans to demolish a portion of the Coconut Grove Playhouse and replace it with a smaller theater and commercial plaza.

City of Miami records show a flurry of activity on the demolition permit application for the playhouse over the past few weeks. Since February, the permit has received approval from zoning, public works, and historic preservation staff, among other departments.

Miami-Dade, which leases the property from the State of Florida, plans to reopen the playhouse by restoring its distinctive front building, knocking down the rear auditorium, and building a 300-seat theater with an adjacent parking garage, street-level retail shops and a pedestrian walkway.

The 1926 playhouse closed in 2006 amid financial troubles and has sat empty since.

“The demolition plans are under review by various city divisions,” Historic and Environmental Preservation (HEP) board member Denise Galvez Turros tells the Spotlight. “It still has to go back to the HEP director for final approval.”

While most of the required departments have approved the permit, city records show environmental resources and structural reviews pending.

A Roundup of City Commission Actions

The Miami City Commission advanced an affordable housing project on Thursday in the West Grove while also taking up “lifetime” term limits and redistricting reform.

By Don Finefrock

The Miami City Commission approved a zoning change on Thursday that will allow a proposed affordable housing project to move forward in the West Grove.

Collaborative Development Corporation is seeking to build a mixed-used project on Douglas Road south of Grand Avenue with 70 apartments for rent and for sale, 90% of which would be priced within reach of low and moderate-income families.

The City Commission previously committed $7.2 million in public funds for the project known as 3710 Grove Landing. The funding will allow the developer to acquire seven parcels of privately-held land – all vacant – on Douglas Road near Grand Avenue.

The zoning change was critical to the project’s success as well.

On Thursday the commission agreed to change the zoning on five properties – two on Douglas Road, two on Washington Avenue, and one on Thomas Avenue – from single family residential (T3-O) to mixed-use residential (T4-O).

Where We’ll Be

Sounds of Inspiration

The fiery rhythms and fluid movements of Siempre Flamenco arrive at The Barnacle to inspire the romantic in each of us. The latest in the Moonlight Concert series displays the talents of dancers and musicians in this classic art form of empowered emotion. The Barnacle, 3485 Main Highway, Friday 4/11, Gates open at 6:00 p.m. Performance begins at 7:00 p.m. Modestly priced tickets are available here.

Inspirational music from cloistered nuns in 18-century Italy reportedly raised eyebrows in their day. The music, as presented by Seraphic Fire, may provide a peek into the secret lives of Italian nuns of the 1700s, and present a greater emotional range than one might expect. Church of the Little Flower, 2711 Indian Mound Trail, Coral Gables (That’s near the Biltmore Hotel). Friday, 4/11, 8:00 p.m. Tickets required.

Heavenly cries of glee are likely at Plymouth Preschool’s Springfest carnival. This totally age-appropriate preschool-family event includes games, bounce houses, pony rides and face painting. It’s a gentle fundraiser for the school and more information can be found here. Plymouth Congregational Church Preschool, 3400 Devon Road off Main Highway. Saturday 4/12, 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Entry free.

On Saturday’s Commodore Trail History Tour and all within a few blocks, you’ll visit historical sites that tell the stories of the pioneers who transformed Coconut Grove from a tropical wilderness into a thriving community. This special edition tour will combine the perspectives of three docents that will weave together the stories of the three pioneering families of Bahamian matriarch Mariah Brown, Ralph Munroe and Charles and Isabella Peacock. Walk from Peacock Park, 2820 McFarlane Road. Saturday 4/12 10:00 a.m. Modestly priced tickets are found here.

Baynanza–one of the largest single-day community service events of the year–mobilizes thousands of volunteers to help recover the Biscayne Bay watershed through trash and debris clean up projects. Anyone can participate at over 30 sites and it’s perfect for students too. (Think “community service hours”.) The Baynanza website can guide you to the best spot for you and your friends, or where to join a team. In the nearby area, you’ll find seven locations–and not all sites are on the Bay. Saturday 4/12, 9:00 a.m.-noon. Information on what to wear and bring, where to go and how to register are found here. Free.

Shenandoah Neighborhood Association’s monthly meeting will feature Dade Heritage Trust’s presentation on that neighborhood’s rich history. Advanced questions are being collected online here. Shenandoah Park, 1800 SW 21st Avenue. Monday 4/14, 7:00 p.m. Free.

Shouting at speeding cars may not make the streets safer, but you can make a difference. A special community input event can help. The Neighborhood Street Safety Feedback Forum–sponsored by the KiDZ Neuroscience Center, WalkSafe, BikeSafe Programs and Miami Project to Cure Paralysis–provides you with the tools and detailed maps to identify the problems and challenges along our roadways that you know best. Sometimes the kids know best where the problems lie, so they are especially encouraged to attend with their parents. Look both ways before you cross to the Coconut Grove Branch Library, 2875 McFarlane Road. Saturday 4/12, 10:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Free.

If you can’t walk or bike somewhere, then discounted on-street parking must be a good thing, right? City of Miami residents are eligible for a parking discount when using the Pay by Phone or ParkMobile apps within the city. Who knew? More information and a link to register your car can be found here.

Save Me a Seat

Easter Egg Hunt at Shenandoah Park, 1800 SW 21st Avenue. Thursday 4/17, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Free.

Save me a tree and celebrate Arbor Day with the City of Miami’s Building Department. The Grove’s give-away will happen at Armbrister Park and those at the front of the line will get first pick – but pre-registration is required. Please don’t just show up, for there is advanced paperwork to fill out online and proof of residency documents to bring with you. All the instructions and the link to register can be found online. Armbrister Park, 4000 Grand Avenue. Saturday 4/19, starting at 9:00 a.m. Free.

Celebrate Earth Day by joining Friends of the Commodore Trail, The Friends of the Underline and the Dade Heritage Trust on a special Nature Loop Bike Tour that combines the best of Miami’s nature-oriented trail segments. Vizcaya Metrorail Station, 3205 SW 1st Avenue. Saturday 4/26, 10:00 a.m.-noon. Free tickets and registration here.