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Vero Beach council approves Riverside Theatre lease, backs multi‑phase campus plan
Summary
After a detailed presentation, the council approved a lease modification and master concept plan for Riverside Theatre that lays out a multi‑phase renovation and expansion (scene shop, loading dock, expanded stage/orchestra pit, studios, Celebration Park and parking) to be funded by a capital campaign and other sources; council voted 5–0.
The Vero Beach City Council voted unanimously to approve a lease modification with Riverside Theatre that incorporates a master development plan outlining a multi‑phase campus expansion and renovation.
Riverside Theatre project manager Keith Kite and CEO John Moses presented the master concept plan, which they described as “Project Imagine,” a phased effort beginning with a scene shop and loading dock and culminating in a new Riverside Theatre Studios and Celebration Park. The presenters said the theater will continue normal operations during renovations and highlighted educational and community use agreements, including a 10‑year arrangement with Vero Beach Ballet for rehearsal space.
Kite described the timeline and phasing: immediate work on a scene shop (permit recently issued), followed by a new loading dock, then interior renovations and an expanded stage and orchestra pit to accommodate full orchestras, and final construction of a studio building and park with an anticipated completion around the 2029 season. The theater said the campus would retain the auditorium’s seating capacity (about 670 seats) while expanding outdoor capacity in Celebration Park and adding dedicated classrooms, rehearsal studios, and meeting space.
Council members asked about seating counts, restrooms for the park, flood‑plain elevation and parking access from Mockingbird and Azalea. Riverside representatives said the new studio footprint would be raised to match existing theater elevation and avoid floodplain issues, that restroom and final construction drawings remain part of future planning‑department reviews, and that a proposed parking lot would relieve neighborhood congestion and be available to the community when not in use for productions.
On funding, Riverside told council the organization has authorization to pursue up to $12 million for the project and reported commitments in the $7–8 million range as the capital campaign begins. The presentation included estimates of community economic and cultural benefits: average attendance figures, regional draw and annual support for educational programs.
Councilmember motioned, the council seconded, and a roll-call vote recorded all five members in favor. Mayor Catugno congratulated the Riverside team and said staff and council would work with the theater through planning and permitting.
Ending: Council approved the lease modification and master plan authority subject to future site‑plan reviews and permitting; Riverside and city staff will return with construction drawings and fundraising updates.
