Council approves ‘Barton plan’ valet arrangement for Gulfshore Playhouse parking pilot

City Council approved a revised valet operations plan for Gulfshore Playhouse that staff, police and the theater reached by compromise; the plan is being piloted once the city parking garage opens and staff will return with operational results after a trial period.

Why it matters: The playhouse sought to change how it uses nearby parking and a city-owned garage. City officials said the prior valet approach was a source of public complaints and that council wanted an operable plan acceptable to both staff and the theater. The plan adopted—frequently referred to in discussion as the “Barton plan”—was reviewed and cleared by police and the city’s streets and stormwater departments.

What council approved: Councilmember Linda Peneman moved to adopt the plan; the motion passed unanimously. City Manager Gary Young and staff said they had negotiated final operational details with the playhouse and expected the first-floor temporary certificate of occupancy and full garage usage to begin soon. Council requested a staff report on how well the pilot functions once the garage is open and used under the new arrangement.

Operational notes: Vice Mayor Hutchison urged clarity in permanent signage so public perception of public-access parking is preserved; staff said sign content will follow municipal signage rules and the final operating plan has been coordinated with the playhouse’s valet provider and police. No changes to council approvals of the site plan were made by this vote; the action applied to the valet/garage operations only.

Next steps: Staff will implement the Barton plan when the garage becomes available and report to council after a 90-day operational trial on whether the arrangement reduced conflicts and provided sufficient public access.