New Opera Place libretto

West Palm Beach planners opposed the Opera Place condominium project from the outset. They argued that the 26-story project, at Quadrille Boulevard and Lakeview Avenue, would be out of context with the buildings nearby, which are capped at 15 or 20 stories.

But BAP Development of Miami won over Mayor Lois Frankel and city commissioners by offering an attractive incentive. Willy Bermello, BAP's president and CEO, promised to build a $9 million theater on the bottom floors for Florida Stage, which was looking to move from Manalapan. Mr. Bermello said the city could buy that part of the building at a discounted price of about $6 million, then lease it and some of the parking to the theater troupe. Supporters said the theater could have an economic impact of $90 million over its first 10 years of operation. The promise of the theater trumped objections about height; the building would be the tallest built downtown since the master plan was adopted in 1996.

Last week, though, Florida Stage said that it was backing out of the deal. Louis Tyrrell, the troupe's founder and producing director, said construction costs had risen to about $13 million, and the project no longer was feasible. Mayor Frankel said her administration would find a replacement. Mr. Bermello said he is committed to lining up a new tenant within 30 days; if one cannot be found, he is willing to build the theater, own it and then keep looking for an operator for as long as it takes to find one.

But the city can't afford to chart its future with just good intentions. Commissioners would not have approved the 26-story plan without Florida Stage's inclusion. Since the theater has pulled out, it's curtains for the approval. Mr. Bermello and the city should start over and deal with realities, not promises. Commissioners also should be wary of replacing Florida Stage with a lesser substitute. An art gallery or a small theatrical company wouldn't do. The city made a trade-off -- added height for economic impact and cultural amenity -- and shouldn't sell itself short.

Mayor Frankel saw the project as an opportunity to redefine height limits downtown and challenge the relevance of the master plan. If Opera Place got 26 stories, the city could sell its tent site for more stories and more money, too. CityPlace developers asked for extra height after seeing Opera Place's request approved. Without Florida Stage, commissioners have no justification to allow a precedent to be built.