The iconic purple Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is undoubtedly a landmark of Downtown Sarasota’s coastline, abundantly visible while crossing the John Ringling Causeway over the Sarasota Bay. But as the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization moves forward with its plans to revitalize the bayfront area immediately sounding Van Wezel into a new attraction called “The Bay”, the unfortunate possibility that the theater may have outlived its usefulness is becoming more and more probable.

The aging theater is in need of upgrades and renovations, but likely does not produce enough earnings to afford them. Its ambitious design has some practical downsides, raising safety concerns and providing less than optimal acoustics for performers. The possibility of a rising tide also endangers the building’s stability. Site planner Sasaki Associates, Inc. has presented a few different options for how to move forward with The Bay – some with Van Wezel, and some without it.

Sarasotans are torn on what to do with Van Wezel. Some think the city should just build a second larger theater next to it, to accommodate for Sarasota’s growing performing arts community needs. Others believe that it’s time for the “Purple Cow” to be put out to pasture – perhaps its legacy could be honored by preserving a piece of it, such as its iconic “shell” roof.

The Bay is still very early in its design stage, so there are still several years before a decision is made. Until then, Sarasota must sort out what the best course of action for Van Wezel is.

For more information on this subject, check out Jay Handelman’s story on the Herald Tribune.