FYI Miami: April 17, 2025

Below are some of the FYIs in this week’s edition. The entire content of this week’s FYIs and Insider sections is available by subscription only. To subscribe click here.

2027 PLAYHOUSE OPENING: A new, smaller Coconut Grove Playhouse will open in 2027, the 100th anniversary of the original building, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said in a press release Tuesday. The release did not detail the project’s size or contents but said that with a permit to move ahead the county has hired John Bell Construction to lead site work. The first phase is to focus on asbestos abatement and extraction and protection of the building’s historic elements. The phase includes structural stabilization, debris removal, and steps to prepare for restoration of the historic building’s distinctive façade. It has been reported that the rest of the building is to be razed, and the Miami Parking Authority has been told to close its 235 parking spaces at the playhouse next month. Plans laid years ago were to have GableStage and Florida International University operate a smaller theater on the site, much of which was to include commercial structures. The building was last in use in 2006.

APPOINTING COMMISSIONER: Miami-Dade commissioners are to meet May 6 to appoint someone to fill the seat that was held by District 6 Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera, who resigned Monday after he was confirmed as US ambassador to Panama. Chairman Anthony Rodriguez said the commission auditor had set up a process “by which residents of District 6 can apply for consideration to fill the vacancy during the commission’s May 6 meeting.” Ruling out a special election for a replacement, he wrote, “There are too many critical conversations, decisions, and votes that need to be made in the coming weeks and months for the commission to create a process that will leave our body – and the people of District 6 – without a voice and advocate.” Those interested can apply at www.miamidade.gov/commission/auditor by noon Monday. 

FILLING REYES SEAT: A special Miami commission meeting today (4/17) is to discuss appointing a temporary replacement or calling a special election to fill the vacant seat of Commissioner Manolo Reyes, who died April 10. If appointed, a successor would serve through the end of the current election cycle on Nov. 4. Mr. Reyes died following a decline in health, according to his family. He was 80 and had publicly disclosed a leukemia diagnosis in 2023. Mr. Reyes was first elected to the Miami City Commission in 2017 representing District Four, which includes the Flagami, Shenandoah and Coral Way neighborhoods.

BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM: The state Senate has unanimously voted to move forward in creating a Florida Museum of Black History in St. Johns County. But with less than four weeks left in the annual legislative session, the House version of the bill has not moved.