Scoop: Mahaffey Theater's future unclear as Bill Edwards exits
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The Duke Energy Center for the Arts — Mahaffey Theater in downtown St. Petersburg. Photo: Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Developer and philanthropist Bill Edwards' 15-year tenure running the Mahaffey Theater will conclude in May, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: It marks the end of an era during which Edwards poured millions of dollars of his own money into revamping the city-owned venue and its programming.
- It also spells uncertainty for the future of St. Petersburg's downtown performing arts center, which has a backlog of repairs and a long-overdue renovation looming.
- City officials were underwhelmed by the sole pitch they received to take over management from Edwards, despite the proposal's backing from big names in entertainment like Vinik Sports Group and Live Nation.
Flashback: With his contract to run the Mahaffey originally expiring this September, Edwards and the city began extension negotiations last year, according to a November City Council presentation
- City leaders felt Edwards was doing a good job, but the parties couldn't agree on the financial terms, city development administration and finance managing director Beth Herendeen said.
- Officials decided to put the management services out to bid in December, with a deadline of Feb. 26.
The intrigue: The request yielded one response — and it wasn't from Edwards. In fact, he opted to terminate the contract early. It's currently slated to expire May 10, the city said.
- Edwards did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
State of play: City officials met Wednesday to evaluate the lone proposal, from the St. Petersburg Group, a local firm helmed by St. Pete Catalyst publisher Joe Hamilton.
- Hamilton and partners Vinik Sports Group, Live Nation and venue management firm Oak View Group pitched a vision including new programming and expanded uses for the theater.
- "It's actually a true all-star team," Hamilton told Axios.
Yes, but: City staffers were less moved, finding the proposal vague.
- Herendeen also expressed "significant concern" over reports that Hamilton had told community members his pitch was "on lock" and that he had visited the Mahaffey to start sketching out potential changes.
- The evaluation committee ultimately decided to send Hamilton a list of clarification questions.
The other side: Hamilton, who attended the meeting, told Axios that he didn't recall saying his pitch was "on lock" but emphasized that he was the only respondent to the city's request for proposals.
- He didn't see an issue with visiting the theater, pointing to his longstanding friendship with Edwards and the tight timeline for the city.
What they're saying: "I thought we could be heroes and get the group aligned and take over to alleviate that problem for the city," Hamilton said.
- "We look forward to answering [the city's questions]," he said, "and I think people will be happy with the answers."
What's next: Until it finds a new management company, the city will run the theater as it did for decades until it went under private management in 2005, a spokesperson told Axios.