THE STAGE AT PAYNE PARK (Players Theater)
Next step in application process: Per City Manager, due to significant changes to proposal, even before the full application is submitted, this will be going to City Commission to see if the City will entertain the expansion they seek as part of their potential lease. To be scheduled for City Commission agenda...
Players Theater is proposing an adaptive reuse of Payne Park Auditorium
PLUS a large new building and expanded parking lot! New PREAPPLICATION in March 2024: 24-PRE-08. This new submission proposes a handsome but large new building, plus expanded parking lot, taking over about 2 acres of the Park! Preapplication was reviewed at April 17 DRC. Two items of note from that meeting: 1. City Arborist stressed that under no circumstances would the existing grand tree, a pine, on site be removed and building plans would need to be adjusted to work around that stipulation; 2. Public Workshop would be required. Be aware that there is citizen opposition to this project as currently planned. See, consider signing, Petition to Deny. Following are some graphics and info from the March 2024 version of the proposed project. |
Planning Dept overseeing this project : Noah Fossick, Acting Chief Planner; 941.263.6548 Noah.Fossick@Sarasotafl.gov
Below are historical notices of earlier stages of the project.
Players Theater is proposing an adaptive reuse of Payne Park Auditorium
(A subsidiary of) the Players Theater is planning to rehab and renovate, as a performance space, Payne Park Auditorium (no longer in use as an auditorium, and in recent years serving as office space for part of the City Parks & Rec department). Expected opening date would be fall 2025. See also thestagepaynepark.org
JAN 2024 Update: Application resubmitted Jan 17, under staff review; to be scheduled for DRC meeting.
DEC 8 2023 update: application 24-ASP-03 was withdrawn due to community opposition to latest proposal (a 200% increase in building footprint). Players folks will meet with community reps before resubmittal.
Next step in the planning process: DRC (development review committee) to be scheduled after resubmittal.
Be aware that DRC meetings are public, you can listen, but DRC meetings are not a forum for public comments.
(A subsidiary of) the Players Theater is planning to rehab and renovate, as a performance space, Payne Park Auditorium (no longer in use as an auditorium, and in recent years serving as office space for part of the City Parks & Rec department). Expected opening date would be fall 2025. See also thestagepaynepark.org
JAN 2024 Update: Application resubmitted Jan 17, under staff review; to be scheduled for DRC meeting.
DEC 8 2023 update: application 24-ASP-03 was withdrawn due to community opposition to latest proposal (a 200% increase in building footprint). Players folks will meet with community reps before resubmittal.
Next step in the planning process: DRC (development review committee) to be scheduled after resubmittal.
Be aware that DRC meetings are public, you can listen, but DRC meetings are not a forum for public comments.
December 2023 update: At initial community workshop, participants were told that what was shown was very preliminary and that details would be developed from that meeting. Below is the text of the pre-application Project Narrative submitted to the City, and a graphic of the more-developed plan. You may note that the more-developed plan differs rather significantly, in increased building size, from that earlier, preliminary concept.
Project Narrative: This proposed project consists of expanding the community building from 8100sf to 24,349sf along with additional parking and site improvements. The project will be located within a leased area of Payne Park (2.1 +/- AC), at the end of Laurel St. There are existing water and sewer services to the building that will be evaluated for te expansion. Stormwater will be treated and attenuated within an existing pond designed for this location. Design data for the existing stormwater system will originate from the associated SWFWMD permit. There is an existing unimproved access road along the sout (rear) of the building that may be used for trash collection and loading deliveries.
Perhaps you might like to view for yourself the plan as a PDF, which you can actually READ by zooming in. Here's how: go to edocs.sarasotagov.com/publicaccess/edocs/search/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery (just click on this link), and do a search: Search Type = Land Development Applications - Keyword, and Application Number = *24-PRE-03*
PREAPPLICATION: The Stage at Payne Park (24-PRE-03) 2110 Adams Way: Application seeking a Pre-Application Conference to construct an addition to expand the Payne Park Auditorium building from 8,100 square feet to 24,349 square feet, which will be leased to the Players Theatre. Additional improvements such as 74 parking spaces
(approximately 26 parking spaces currently exist on site), sidewalks, a refuse enclosure, and a delivery area are also proposed. The proposed lease area (site) is ±2.1 acres. The subject site is zoned Government (G) and has a Future Land Use classification of Open Space-Recreational-Conservation. Access is to remain from Adams Lane. Staff Contact: Noah Fossick, Development Review Senior Planner, 941-263-6548, Noah.Fossick@Sarasotafl.gov
(approximately 26 parking spaces currently exist on site), sidewalks, a refuse enclosure, and a delivery area are also proposed. The proposed lease area (site) is ±2.1 acres. The subject site is zoned Government (G) and has a Future Land Use classification of Open Space-Recreational-Conservation. Access is to remain from Adams Lane. Staff Contact: Noah Fossick, Development Review Senior Planner, 941-263-6548, Noah.Fossick@Sarasotafl.gov
At September 11, 2023 community workshop, Players presented a VERY preliminary draft image from which to solicit input from community; this will change as plan is further developed.
Image shows building expansion, added parking, including drop-off loop, required emergency access, ADA requirements, etc. (pervious brick paving in brown, buildings in black). Note: this will NOT be fenced off from park; those exterior lines are just "lot line" markers.
Participants voiced overwhelming welcome for The Players coming to Payne Park; concerns mainly focussed on expanded paved parking lot taking over the lawn "corral" area, plus parking and traffic issues in general.
Per Community Workshop 23-CW-32 agenda:
"In addition to interior renovations to update the auditorium space to accommodate performances and use by the Players Theater, other community based performing arts organizations and the public, the following changes are proposed: interior space enancements, acoustical and lighting improvements, flexible seating, restroom enhancements, outdoor-covered gathering and performance space, accessible and required parking and emergency services circulation, a proposed ticketing, office and storage building addition, and including dressing rooms, green room and catering. The proposed use of the auditorium and adjoining outdoor space include performance space, special events programming, community theatrical and musical productions, educational programs, and office administration, as well as for uses by other community groups. The auditorium and adjoining outdoor space may also be used for limited food services, alcoholic beverage services and periodic outdoor food truck services."
The plan is to renovate the existing building and potentially enlarge it by 50%. Players will cover costs. In addition to The Players productions, the space will also be utilized by other local arts groups.
Meanwhile, the City will be re-roofing the old Auditorium building (after roof damage from storms).
Per the Herald Tribune 5/17/23: "The Sarasota City Commission voted unanimously Monday [May 15 2023] for an early framework of a lease agreement that would allow the area’s oldest performing arts organization to transform the nearly 60-year-old Payne Park Auditorium into a new theater space. The company would pay the city $100 per year for 10 years (with at least two 10-year renewals possible) and $1 from every ticket sold would go to the city."
"In addition to interior renovations to update the auditorium space to accommodate performances and use by the Players Theater, other community based performing arts organizations and the public, the following changes are proposed: interior space enancements, acoustical and lighting improvements, flexible seating, restroom enhancements, outdoor-covered gathering and performance space, accessible and required parking and emergency services circulation, a proposed ticketing, office and storage building addition, and including dressing rooms, green room and catering. The proposed use of the auditorium and adjoining outdoor space include performance space, special events programming, community theatrical and musical productions, educational programs, and office administration, as well as for uses by other community groups. The auditorium and adjoining outdoor space may also be used for limited food services, alcoholic beverage services and periodic outdoor food truck services."
The plan is to renovate the existing building and potentially enlarge it by 50%. Players will cover costs. In addition to The Players productions, the space will also be utilized by other local arts groups.
Meanwhile, the City will be re-roofing the old Auditorium building (after roof damage from storms).
Per the Herald Tribune 5/17/23: "The Sarasota City Commission voted unanimously Monday [May 15 2023] for an early framework of a lease agreement that would allow the area’s oldest performing arts organization to transform the nearly 60-year-old Payne Park Auditorium into a new theater space. The company would pay the city $100 per year for 10 years (with at least two 10-year renewals possible) and $1 from every ticket sold would go to the city."