The future management of St. Petersburg’s Mahaffey Theater is uncertain after longtime operator Bill Edwards opted to end his role overseeing the city-owned venue early.
Edwards’ 15-year tenure running the Duke Energy Center for the Arts — Mahaffey Theater is set to conclude in May, according to a report by Kathryn Varn of Axios. That would close a chapter during which the developer and philanthropist invested millions of dollars into upgrading the facility and expanding its programming,
The Mahaffey Theater, a 2,031-seat waterfront performing arts hall in downtown St. Petersburg, hosts more than 200 performances annually and serves as the home of The Florida Orchestra. The facility also includes additional event spaces such as the Grand Ballroom, VIP Lounge and Sonata Restaurant & Lounge, and supports the Class Acts education program, which reaches tens of thousands of students each year through performances and arts outreach.
Edwards’ departure leaves city leaders weighing next steps for the downtown waterfront performing arts center, which faces a backlog of repairs and potential renovation needs.
City officials opened a formal request for proposals to search for a new management partner in December after they could not reach terms on an extension with Edwards last year. According to Axios, the solicitation drew only one response: a proposal from the St. Petersburg Group, a local firm led by St. Pete Catalyst publisher Joe Hamilton.
The proposal includes partnerships with several major entertainment organizations, including Vinik Sports Group, Live Nation and venue management firm Oak View Group.
The situation became more complicated when Edwards chose to terminate his contract early rather than continue operating the venue through its original expiration date later this year. His agreement with the city is now expected to conclude May 10.
Axios reported that the city will temporarily resume operating the Mahaffey Theater directly until a new management company is selected.
According to city records, the selected vendor would be responsible for managing and operating the Duke Energy Center for the Arts complex, including the Mahaffey Theater, the Center for the Arts Plaza and adjacent facilities. The agreement would require the operator to provide all labor, supervision and equipment necessary to run the venue, while overseeing booking, marketing and promotion, building maintenance, parking and security.
