Coconut Grove Playhouse Still Intact After Hurricane Irma - Photos & Video

September 13, 2017 in Abandoned, Coconut Grove, Coconut Grove Playhouse, Golden Dusk Photography, Miami, Hurricane Irma

Coconut Grove Playhouse After Hurricane Irma

As Hurricane Irma was approaching Miami as a Category 5 Hurricane, the question was whether Miami-Dade County would protect the Coconut Grove Playhouse in some way before the storm. The answer was no.

Although the eye of Hurricane Irma did not pass through Miami, Coconut Grove still had over 100 mph winds and gust. Severe damage was done to a lot of trees in the area including a storm surge in Peacock Park and along Bayshore Drive.

Built in 1926, the Coconut Grove Playhouse sustained minor visible damage to the exterior of the building. The tree on Charles Avenue next to the Playhouse was knocked down, the blue scaffolding on the side of the building was blown over, and the awning covering was ripped and a few windows knocked out, but overall the building managed to survive the Hurricane.

Most of the Coconut Grove Playhouse was approved to be demolished in April with a new 300 seat theater, but only preserving the front "v shaped" structure. An appeal hearing is set for October 26 before Miami's City Commissioners.

Abandoned since 2006, photos and video of the inside of the Coconut Grove Playhouse can be viewed here.

Exterior Photos

Video

Miami To Get 125 Acre Park On Virginia Key

June 16, 2017 in Miami, Virginia Key

Aerial of Virginia Key with Downtown Miami in Distance

What was once an old landfill, Miami is planning on turning 125 acres on Virginia Key into a park, according to The Miami Herald.

Originally used as a landfill in 1961 and then closed in 1977 it was covered in soil, but contaminents still caused leaking into the water. The cost to cap and seal the landfill will be $45 million at the cost of Miami-Dade taxpayers.

The park is located near the old Jimbo's beer and fish bar that closed in 2012 after 50 years.

Bidding is expected to take a year and site work about 18 months, with the park expected to open in 2020.

Work Underway At Parcel B

June 01, 2017 in Downtown Miami, Miami, Parcel B, Bay Walk

Work is underway at the Parcel B site located behind the American Airlines Arena with views of Biscayne Bay and Miami Beach.

The three acre Miami-Dade County owned lot was used as a parking lot during Miami Heat games and concerts at the arena. In recent years the area was also used during the Formula E Miami ePrix in 2015 and was once an area proposed for a 450 foot flag.

Although $315,000 of work is underway with grass and 42 newly planted palm trees, the Miami Herald is reporting that the County is finalizing an agreement that would give control of the site to a group to build a Cuban exile history museum. The group would have five years to raise $99 million to finance the museum.

Work is also being done on the Bay Walk line underneath the PortMiami bridge that will eventually connect it from Edgewater to Brickell.

The Miami Line Re-Lit Over The Miami River

May 20, 2016 in Brickell, Golden Dusk Photography, Metrorail, Miami, Miami River

As part of the Miami-Dade Art in Public Places Program, artist Rockne Krebs was commissioned to create "The Miami Line" in 1984. The colored bulbs extended 1,540 feet on the Metrorail tracks that created a colorful glow over the Miami River.

Over the years the bulbs went out or were damaged. Eventually the lights burned out for good in 2012.

The City of Miami art in public spaces has restored the iconic Rockne Krebs' "The Miami Line" lighting exhibit along the Metrorail bridge that illuminates the river at night. Troy Taylor (VP, The Riverfront Master Association and Board President, The Mint Condo Association) joined with Brett Bibeau of the Miami River Commission 3 years ago, and Taylor states, "with the growing demand for luxury condos and trendy restaurants, along the Miami River I vowed 3 years ago that I could not let the lights go out on this Iconic landmark."

Although "The Miami Line" is partially re-lit an stops about halfway over the Miami River, only partial funding has been has been given so far, which includes 52 LED lights at a cost of $822,500, according to The Miami New Times.

Funds still need to be raised and budgeted to extend "The Miami Line" to its original length and on both sides of the Metrorail tracks.

Rockne Krebs' The Miami Line To Light Up Again

April 15, 2016 in Brickell, Golden Dusk Photography, Miami, Miami River, Metrorail

The neon lights that used to light over The Miami River called "The Miami Line", may finally light again in the next few weeks, according to The Miami New Times.

The neon lights on the Metrorail tracks are the work of artist Rockne Krebs, who was commissioned in 1984 to produce the work for the Miami-Dade Art in Public Places Program. Initially, the lights only spanned 300 feet, but was later extended to 1,540 feet.

When "The Miami Line" first debuted, the city was not known for its lighting and that section of town was very inactive. Over the years, Miami/Brickell has grown to include many colorful buildings such as The Miami Tower and Brickell World Plaza, that only enhance the city, especially at night.

Below are photos of The Miami Line in 2012 before the lights burned out.

Bailout Of The Frost Museum Of Science Approved

April 06, 2016 in Construction, Frost Museum of Science, Miami

On April 5, Miami-Dade County Commissioners approved a $49 million bailout to finish construction on the Frost Museum of Science, according to The Miami Herald.

The Frost Museum of Science is located in Museum Park next to the Pérez Art Museum of Miami.

Construction progress photos of the Frost Museum of Science can be viewed here.