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THE STAGE AT PAYNE PARK
(The Players Theater) The Stage at Payne Park is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Players Theater, created to manage the new space at Payne Park. Plans call for The Stage also to host various other local theater companies and cultural organizations, as well as provide event space for a wide range of groups. |
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Oct 7 City Commission Meeting, 9am, City Hall: Players Theater the Stage at Payne Park
Agenda Item IX.1 Lease Agreement between the City of Sarasota and The Player's Inc. for the Payne Park Auditorium Building. To read lease, click on link to agenda backup document at LEASE AGREEMENT (legistarweb-production.s3.amazonaws.com) Plan is to utilize the auditorium initially as theater space, without new building, while keeping options open for developing a new theater on nearby Washington Blvd lot.
Agenda Item IX.1 Lease Agreement between the City of Sarasota and The Player's Inc. for the Payne Park Auditorium Building. To read lease, click on link to agenda backup document at LEASE AGREEMENT (legistarweb-production.s3.amazonaws.com) Plan is to utilize the auditorium initially as theater space, without new building, while keeping options open for developing a new theater on nearby Washington Blvd lot.
At the July 15 2024 City Commission meeting, the Players Theater term sheet for the lease from the City of the Payne Park Auditorium plus surrounding land was revisited. The original lease, approved in 2023, called for use of the existing Payne Park auditorium as the theater, plus a small addition to the auditorium, plus small additions on the surrounding Park land. Later proposal plans from Players called for a much larger, 2-story new building plus much additional paved parking and access roads. This term sheet for a City lease addresses this much-changed proposal.
Players Theater leaders were quite conciliatory with making changes in order to get the City-subsidized land for their theater, including finding ways to minimize the excessive parkland paved parking lots, as well as on other issues.
After public comments, most "pushing back" on losing existing Payne Park greenspace, many acknowledging the importance of our cultural organizations and love for The Players and desire to keep this organization in-town, and a lengthy, comprehensive discussion, a new term sheet for a lease will be drawn up. Several included stipulations include: Players' use of existing auditorium for actual theater & education space, not merely back offices and storage; lease on a second nearby parcel NOT in Payne Park, that vacant city-owned lot on US301 and Laurel (where the strip club was razed long ago), for Players' new theater building construction, no expansion of building or extra parking lot on Payne Park land, an inflation clause on the lease payment terms, and a few other conditions.
A Term Sheet gives Players the go-ahead to negotiate and to bring it back to the City Commission for a full-detail lease. After that, public workshops and the regular development processes can move forward.
Players Theater leaders were quite conciliatory with making changes in order to get the City-subsidized land for their theater, including finding ways to minimize the excessive parkland paved parking lots, as well as on other issues.
After public comments, most "pushing back" on losing existing Payne Park greenspace, many acknowledging the importance of our cultural organizations and love for The Players and desire to keep this organization in-town, and a lengthy, comprehensive discussion, a new term sheet for a lease will be drawn up. Several included stipulations include: Players' use of existing auditorium for actual theater & education space, not merely back offices and storage; lease on a second nearby parcel NOT in Payne Park, that vacant city-owned lot on US301 and Laurel (where the strip club was razed long ago), for Players' new theater building construction, no expansion of building or extra parking lot on Payne Park land, an inflation clause on the lease payment terms, and a few other conditions.
A Term Sheet gives Players the go-ahead to negotiate and to bring it back to the City Commission for a full-detail lease. After that, public workshops and the regular development processes can move forward.
Below is the July 2024 version of the proposal.
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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 submission proposes a handsome but large new building, plus expanded parking lot, taking over about 2 acres of the Park! [ED NOTE: July 2024 proposal has changed even more.]
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.
Regarding Sarasota Parks in general, read this 2024 CCNA Position Statement About the Commercialization And Privatization Of City of Sarasota Parks:
"In the context of the proposed development of Ken Thompson Park by Ride Entertainment, the member associations of the Coalition of City Neighborhood Association of Sarasota oppose any such use that diminishes free and public use of our city parks or is a liability on the surrounding neighborhood or the city. Any planned development to add to or change our parks should enhance the free and public use thereof and be an asset to the surrounding neighborhood and the city."
Following are some graphics and info from the March 2024 version of the proposed project.
New PREAPPLICATION in March 2024: 24-PRE-08. This submission proposes a handsome but large new building, plus expanded parking lot, taking over about 2 acres of the Park! [ED NOTE: July 2024 proposal has changed even more.]
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.
Regarding Sarasota Parks in general, read this 2024 CCNA Position Statement About the Commercialization And Privatization Of City of Sarasota Parks:
"In the context of the proposed development of Ken Thompson Park by Ride Entertainment, the member associations of the Coalition of City Neighborhood Association of Sarasota oppose any such use that diminishes free and public use of our city parks or is a liability on the surrounding neighborhood or the city. Any planned development to add to or change our parks should enhance the free and public use thereof and be an asset to the surrounding neighborhood and the city."
Following are some graphics and info from the March 2024 version of the proposed project.
Per thestagesrq.org
"The Stage at Payne Park is not just a performance space for the Sarasota arts community. It will be a community asset for non-profit organizations, businesses, clubs, families, and individuals. The Stage can be transformed into an elegant ballroom accommodating 300 guests for weddings, bar mitzvahs, fundraising galas and luncheons, corporate events and more."
"The Stage at Payne Park is not just a performance space for the Sarasota arts community. It will be a community asset for non-profit organizations, businesses, clubs, families, and individuals. The Stage can be transformed into an elegant ballroom accommodating 300 guests for weddings, bar mitzvahs, fundraising galas and luncheons, corporate events and more."
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Planning Dept overseeing this project : Noah Fossick, Acting Chief Planner; 941.263.6548 [email protected]
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 thestagesrq.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 thestagesrq.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 March 2024 version: 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 the 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 south (rear) of the building that may be used for trash collection and loading deliveries.
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Various versions of proposal: July 2024, March 2024, September 2023
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* or *24-PRE-08*
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, [email protected]
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."
