City commissioners opt to offer to build on land next to the park, rather than within it.
By Ramon Lopez
Original Air Date: July 17, 2024
Host: The Players Theater wanted to build in the middle of Payne Park. Neighbors were dead set against altering a public park, and now the City of Sarasota came up with a solution.
Ramon Lopez: A political hot potato was juggled at Monday, July 15th’s Sarasota City Commission meeting, with a controversial proposal for Payne Park producing a ‘pain in the butt’ for the city leaders, who had to appease both nature lovers and performing arts patrons.
And over two hours of confusing discussion among the commissioners, city staffers, opponents to the project, and the developer confused both public and public servants alike. Take Sarasota City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs, the staff member responsible for accurately recording the motion and commissioners’ vote.
Shayla Griggs: You guys make me look like I’m not doing my job when it’s you all, and it’s kind of pissing me off. Because I’m trying to do my job and you yell at me. But I’m trying to understand, so we can understand what to do. There was a motion and a second. You had all this talk. Was there an amendment or not to the original motion
Unknown Official: That there was a motion and a second.
SG: I understand that. But you did a whole bunch of talking. I don’t know what the heck y’all were saying. So what — I know what the motion is when he made it again. But was there an amendment, because everybody was making suggestions—
UO: No, no, no, no.
SG: That’s what I’m just trying to make sure. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. It’s not me. I just want everybody to know that.
RL: In the end, a motion was finalized and unanimously approved by the city commissioners. Staff and the city attorney were ordered to prepare a lease with the Sarasota Players to use the Payne Park Auditorium based on revised terms. Specifically, the auditorium will be renovated — but not expanded — for staff offices and small performances. And Sarasota Players will develop a plan for a city-owned parcel at Laurel and South Washington, just outside the perimeter of Payne Park, to build a new large theatre.
Reps of the Players were quick to agree to those terms. At issue was a lease agreement a year in the making. The Sarasota City Commission had then approved a lease deal for the Sarasota Players. It would allow the group to lease and expand Payne Park Auditorium. But more recently, the group came up with a significantly larger build plan than the original concept presented back in September 2023. To the existing 8,000 square foot auditorium, a new two-story 17,000 square feet building would be attached creating a 300-seat theater, a lot of parking spaces, and new driveway. The Sarasota Players will pay the city rent of $100 annually, plus $1 per event ticket sold.
Aside from getting a sweet financial deal, the Sarasota Players desperately needs a new home. Unclear is how long it can continue to operate in converted real estate space at the under-utilized Crossings at Siesta Key shopping center. It’s been providing shows there for the past three years.
Opponents in the neighboring Alta Vista neighborhood said Payne Park can’t lose over two acres of green space. Just ask local Ron Kashden.
Ron Kashden: If this commission wants to continue its generosity, it could use the vacant lot right nearby for the stage. And this location would not affect the deed restricted parkland.
RL: The opponents said the Payne family’s intentions were clear: the land should only be used as a public park and playground.
This is Ramon Lopez for WSLR News.
WSLR News aims to keep the local community informed with our 1/2 hour local news show, quarterly newspaper and social media feeds. The local news broadcast airs on Wednesdays and Fridays at 6pm.