Commissioners back compromise on Paine Park Auditorium: lease protections now, exterior designation deferred until after Players’ season

The City Commission on Feb. 2 adopted a compromise to preserve key historic elements of the Paine Park Auditorium while allowing a long‑term tenant to begin rehabilitation work.

The Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation recommended a local historic designation that would protect both interior and exterior features. Players Inc., which holds a 30‑year lease to operate the auditorium, opposed a formal exterior designation during their early tenancy, saying the additional certificate‑of‑appropriateness requirements could slow repairs and create future constraints.

Staff, the alliance and Players Inc. negotiated a joint approach. The commission directed the city manager to consent to imminent tenant improvements provided they comply with protections spelled out in the Jan. 16 joint letter. Staff will amend the lease to record eight identified elements (tile murals, terrazzo flooring, original stage, jalousie windows, storefront facade, lobby‑auditorium doorway, concrete block/brickcrete walls and wood flooring) and require city manager review of proposed changes that affect those features. The commission also directed that the city and alliance may pursue exterior designation only after the Players’ first operating season (or after improvements are complete), giving both the tenant and preservationists time to evaluate the rehabilitation in use.

Speakers from the alliance described the building’s mid‑century modern significance and cultural history; Players representatives said they share preservation goals but warned a preemptive exterior designation could impose unforeseen limits across a 30‑year lease. Commissioners described the outcome as a “win‑win” that preserves the building’s important features while allowing the community theater to reopen quickly.

Staff said the lease revisions will return to the commission for final approval after the Players begin operations; building‑permit review and historic‑preservation staff input will be applied during the permit stage to ensure compliance with agreed protections.

Commission direction: city manager to consent to tenant improvements that meet joint‑letter protections; staff to draft lease revisions capturing the eight protected elements; defer exterior designation until after the Players’ first season or until improvements are complete.