Commissioners: Can we buy Winter Park Playhouse building?
The potential purchase is an alternative to a new building at Seven Oaks Park as the City Commission also considers concepts for the old library
By Beth Kassab
Winter Park City Commissioners on Wednesday tossed around the idea of using Community Redevelopment Agency funds combined with Orange County Tourism Development Tax dollars to buy the building occupied by the Winter Park Playhouse, currently on the market for about $4.25 million.
The potential purchase came up as an alternative to allowing the theater, which is set to lose its lease at 711 N. Orange Avenue as early as next year, to build above the parking lot at the new Seven Oaks Park.
That concept has been discussed since February, though some commissioners have been hesitant to commit to the idea because of the likely need for more parking in the future as well as concerns about how the structure would alter the look and feel of the park.
“I want to do everything we can do to keep [the playhouse], but we don’t know what 10 years is going to bring for Seven Oaks and that whole area could change,” said Commissioner Sheila DeCiccio.
Heather Alexander, executive director of the playhouse, said she is open to the city’s help to purchase the current building, but also remains interested in building at the park or even the old Winter Park Library site.
Ultimately, commissioners voted to put on hold for two weeks a Request for Proposal for the air rights above the Seven Oaks parking lot.
Earlier in the meeting, the commission voted to go forward with asking for redevelopment concepts for the old library and, once again, voted to give preference to proposals that keep the old building rather than demolish it. Commissioner Todd Weaver pushed for the change, arguing it would be wasteful and harm the environment to take down the 1978 building. That amendment passed by a 3-2 vote with Mayor Phil Anderson and DeCiccio dissenting.
Last year the commission issued an RFP for the site and required the building stay put, but abandoned the concept for office and other uses earlier this year.
This time they voted to allow residential units as part of the plans, though some commissioners expressed reservations about the city retaining ownership over a building with apartments or condominiums.
Six nonprofit groups expressed interest so far in being part of such a proposal. Groups are still invited to write letters of interest, Anderson said.
He also advocated for a community meeting to be held on the redevelopment of the old library so people who live nearby can have a better understanding of what to expect and weigh in on the concepts.
We have two stellar local success stories of how to solve theater space. It can be done—and it doesn’t have to cost millions.
First—Sanford’s Theater West End, 115 W 1st St http://www.theaterwestend.com Billed as “Sanford’s first professional Live Theater”—they specialize in musicals BTW. Housed in a converted storefront space in downtown. If you haven’t been, put this on your calendar! Thrilling!
Second—WP’s Breakthrough Theater Company http://www.breakthroughtheater.com , formerly housed at 421 Fairbanks, recently relocated east of Semoran on Aloma—at 6900 Aloma and showcasing a very robust 2023 season. Again, a converted storefront and achieved w less than $100,00. Probably my favorite theater company in our entire region. Highly recommended.
Now let’s get to work: solutions abound.
Correction:
http://www.breakthroughtheatre.com
Buying the building? Have they lost their minds? Are the comissioners/mayor too timid to say, “Good luck in your search. We hope you stay in WP, but if you have to leave, we’re sure something great will take over your space on Orange Ave.”
Let’s see something positive completed at OAO (Debacle Park) before we start buying theatre space. Unbelievable!
Heather and Roy Speight control and manage the not-for-profit Winter Park Playhouse Inc. This is their livelihood and their efforts add to our community, just like every other private enterprise, whether for-profit or not-for profit. Heather is 57 years old and Roy is 67 years old. Together, Heather and Roy are paid about $144,000 a year, plus benefits, for overseeing the Winter Park Playhouse. Winter Park taxpayers have made annual contributions to support the Winter Park Playhouse for many years. The current year contribution is $40,000.
See: https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2020/311/786/2020-311786833-202023189349303117-9A.pdf
Notably, the Winter Park Playhouse can readily find another space to lease, if not in Winter Park, close to Winter Park.
How much longer will Heather and Roy be willing and able to oversee the Winter Park Playhouse? Will any lease be at fair market value? What happens when Heather and Roy are no longer willing or able to oversee the Winter Park Playhouse? Given that the Winter Park Playhouse will remain in operation at some location so long as Heather and Roy wish it to, what is the justification for Winter Park taxpayers to spend $4 million to buy a building for them and why is this the best public use of such funds?
Should Winter Park taxpayers buy buildings where other Winter Park not-for-profit reside and then lease them? Why?
I welcome Beth’s response.
“The City of Arts and Culture” foolishness is now on its third mayor.
And no City Commission has ever questioned it as the single most dominant guiding force guiding City policy.
So why should anyone be surprised when the City pays $50 million for a library and events center that the residents don’t like?
Or when the City buys or builds a showroom / bar venue?
If residents continue to complain about the symptoms of the problem without ever addressing the cause of the problem they can expect more of the problem in the future.
Peter J, Why would Beth respond? If performing the role properly, editors do not weigh in.
Never thought I’d say it, but I’m with Pitt and Pete on this one.
Agree!
This is an historic moment! I agree with all of you guys as well as Michael Perelman.
During previous Commission discussion about the future of the WP Playhouse, it was made clear that no-one supported the use of City funds (which must include CRA funds), yet now there is a discussion of using City funds.
What has happened to the previous commitments to not use City funds to support this organization?
I do not support using City funds in this way.
I also believe that using CRA funds for this endeavor is not really aligned with the underlying philosophy of the CRA.
Hey everybody.
Support the effort to bring Major League Baseball to International Drive.
The group promoting this is asking for $975 million in Orange County Tourist Development Tax money to build a big new baseball stadium.
The more money that Orange County uses to build the baseball stadium the less money there is available this year for any mischief in Winter Park such as the library and events center construction that was built with TDT funds.