The design team led by Arquitectonica International Corporation and under contract to Miami-Dade County has begun work on the Coconut Grove Playhouse project. The first stage of their activities focuses on the review of existing reports and materials and a physical assessment of the site, including but not limited to a survey of the architectural elements of the building, a structural analysis and an updated survey of the property.  The design team includes members with established expertise in historic preservation, structural engineering, theater, acoustical and sound communications and other disciplines essential to the project. 

The Miami Parking Authority (MPA) is responsible for creating a plan for an independently-financed parking garage on site. The surface parking lot continues to be managed by the MPA under an agreement with Miami-Dade County.

While this work is proceeding, the design team’s theater planning and design consultant, Fisher Dachs Associates, has begun work with GableStage to develop a “program” that defines the spaces necessary for its growth into a great regional theater. In addition, GableStage is working with AMS Planning and Research on an action plan to guide the operational development of this theater company necessary to assume responsibility for the completed Playhouse.  Finally, GableStage and Florida International University (FIU) are refining their relationship for programming and partnership activities.

It is anticipated that the design team’s “fact finding” regarding the site, MPA’s parking garage plan, the building program for GableStage and the approved budget for the project will provide the basis for the eventual development of options for a site master plan.

The timetable for the Playhouse project was negotiated with the State of Florida and approved by the Board of County Commissioners in October 2013 as part of the lease and business plan between the State of Florida and Miami-Dade County and FIU. Below is an excerpt from this agreement regarding the timeline:

• Planning and design phase (18 to 24 months);
• Competitive bidding for construction  (6 to 12 months); and
• Permitting,  construction  and commissioning - this depends on the what  the design  phase generates for  the  project  and  the  response   from  the  selected  contractor for how long construction will take; for example, work with an existing structure on the site, new construction and the integration of these elements all can impact the construction timeline (36 to 60 months).

You can view the entire, approved County Commission agenda item at: http://www.miamidade.gov/govaction/legistarfiles/MinMatters/Y2013/131977min.pdf