WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2011

Initiative Approved To Put The Miracle Back In The Mile

The Coral Gables City Commission set into motion what will be the most significant transformation — cultural, economic, and physical — of the City’s downtown experience to date.  There have been countless discussions spanning several decades, including a 2002 Charrette, on the need to address an aging Miracle Mile and Restaurant Row.

Last Thursday, during a special Commission meeting, City Manager Pat Salerno presented a Miracle Mile and Restaurant Row Streetscape Initiative that the Commission unanimously passed.  The City is now poised to create a unique place — a civic promenade — that will become the focal point for the community.  A place where people can exalt in the human spirit, celebrate their unity and diversity and simply relax and enjoy their surroundings. 

Richard Heapes of Street-Works, a real estate consulting firm specializing in developing public spaces and repositioning main streets that are underperforming to maximize their financial potential, presented a bold vision for the streetscape design.  The dramatic transformation of the public realm (City owned property from the storefront of one side of the street to the storefront of the other side) on Miracle Mile will include, among other improvements, installation of lush gardens and flower beds, public art, beautiful mature trees, intimate spaces, fountains and outdoor cafes in the widened sidewalks, which will be connected to parking areas by inviting paseos. 

The new Restaurant Row will feature a street artistically designed to create a cohesive outdoor “living room” that can at times be used for outdoor dining and events.  Beautiful landscaping and artist-designed lighting elements creating a canopy or ceiling will set the tone and mood for a memorable evening.

This initiative will take some design elements from the Alhambra in Spain and successful concepts from cities that have achieved a vibrant pedestrian-friendly promenade.  It is the City’s best opportunity to improve Coral Gables’ sense of community.  When family and friends arrive from out of town, this area will become the place you want to share with them.  It will be bustling with the sights and sounds of early morning joggers, office workers having lunch, children laughing, retirees playing chess and dominoes and couples taking evening strolls.  It will be a source of recreation, renewal and reflection. A place that attracts, delights, excites and comforts all, where important words are spoken, vows exchanged, and promises made.  By elevating the quality of our surroundings, the City will improve the quality of life for all.

“As an 18-year resident, I have long desired and anticipated the creation of an enticing pedestrian promenade that will create opportunities for gathering with other members of the community and experiencing the richness of Coral Gables culture in the heart of the City,” said the Vice Chair of the Coral Gables Cultural Development Board Bobbi Litt speaking to the Commission.

The Miracle Mile and Restaurant Row Initiative is part of the continuing evolution of the City and the most ambitious downtown transformation in our history.  “This project is a game changer for both Miracle Mile and Coral Gables,” said Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce President Mark Trowbridge.  “It is a project unlike any other in our community and an essential opportunity we may never see again in the history of the Mile.”

By addressing its physical environment, Coral Gables will create a downtown with broader appeal that will attract new residents, businesses and visitors.  “The University of Miami strongly supports a vibrant community and downtown, one that we can proudly show to faculty and executive recruits as an incentive to live in Coral Gables,” explained Assistant Vice President of the University of Miami, Sarah Nesbitt Artecona.  “A downtown that facilitates the decision for students and their parents to choose UM for their education.  A vibrant looking streetscape will put the miracle back in the Mile.” 

With neighboring cities providing other options and choices to residents and visitors, City Manager Pat Salerno says it is time for the City to set its own course for the future.  “In order to remain competitive we need to be the city of choice,” said Salerno.  “We need to be the city of choice for families to reside, for entrepreneurs, businesses and members of the various creative professions.  Creating a vibrant downtown is key.”

Improving Miracle Mile and Restaurant Row is more than an investment in our City’s commercial district — it is an investment that will significantly enhance the image of our entire City.  Based on current plans, the total project cost is $16.115 million of which Miami-Dade County contributes $1.365 million.  Financing will be spread over 20 years at an annual cost of $1.19 million.  But, what makes this a particularly attractive investment for the City is the fact that the private sector will pay for half of all the improvements through a special assessment, and their enhanced property values will generate enough new property tax revenue to pay for another 25%.  Currently budgeted funds to pay for capital improvements will underwrite the remaining 25%.  That means all these improvements will be done without raising homeowners’ property taxes.  No matter how you look at it, improving Miracle Mile and Restaurant Row is a great deal for Coral Gables taxpayers and it will mean a great deal to the future of our City for decades to come. 

Enjoy Live Jazz In The Gables
Every Wednesday, February Through April

The City of Coral Gables, in partnership with the Business Improvement District, Miami Jazz Cooperative, and the Coral Gables Museum is bringing the smooth sounds of jazz music every week to downtown Coral Gables.  Wednesday Jazz in the Gables begins February 16 through April 27, from noon to 2 p.m. on the Plaza of the Coral Gables Museum. Break up the work week and come enjoy great lunchtime music on the corner of Salzedo Street and Aragon Avenue, and best of all, admission is free. The first series performer is saxophonist extraordinaire and entertainer Jesse Jones Jr., who combines the hard-bop influence of jazz legendary Cannonball Adderley, the funk of Hank Crawford, and the sweetness of Paul Desmond. For a list of upcoming performances and more information, contact the City of Coral Gables Economic Sustainability Department at 305-460-5313 or click here.

Coral Gables Museum To Receive More
Than Half A Million Dollars In Private Donations

The Coral Gables Museum is set to receive $550,000 in private donations from two prominent Coral Gables families. Recently, the Coral Gables City Commission approved the donation of $300,000 (in annual installments of $50,000) from Commissioner Wayne “Chip” Withers to the Coral Gables Museum. The donation will be used toward the cost of renovating the space within the museum building and the construction of the new gallery wing. The lobby area of the newly renovated historic building located on the corner of Salzedo Street and Giralda Avenue will be known as the “Withers Family Lobby.” In addition, the Commission approved a resolution to receive a $250,000 donation to the Coral Gables Museum from the estate of Harry and Mary Perrin, deceased residents of Coral Gables. Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick acted as donor advisor for the Perrin Charitable Fund housed at the Coral Gables Community Foundation. The Coral Gables Museum will name a “Perrin Hall,” a room that will be used to honor the City’s international relationships as well as provide an area to view City archive materials. Last October, the Coral Gables Museum opened to the public as a public/private partnership between the City of Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Museum Corp., a private and not-for-profit corporation. 

Kids Can Celebrate Valentine’s Day
At Coral Gables Museum

Love is in the air and it’s all about being alone with your significant one on Valentine’s Day. That’s why the Coral Gables Museum is hosting a Valentine’s Day Kids Party on Monday, February 14 from 5-10 p.m. This is your chance to keep your children busy, and be alone with your sweet Valentine on this most romantic day of the year. If you have children ages 5-12, take them to the Coral Gables Museum at 285 Aragon Avenue on Monday night so they can have their own party of pizza, games and activities, plus see a movie. Cost is $40 per child and $10 for each additional sibling. Registration is required so hurry and contact Caroline Parker at 305-815-4018 or via email at caroline@coralgablesmuseum.org.

Looking For 12 Engaged Couples For Test Of Love

If you’re an engaged couple who wants to be part of a reality television show, take the test of love. The Coral Gables Country Club is hosting an open casting call for a new reality show to be called “Test of Love,” on Saturday, February 19 from noon to 6 p.m. The new reality TV series, to air in the United States and Canada, is looking for 12 engaged couples who will compete in a string of rigorous challenges for the chance to win the ultimate prize. Judges will eliminate one couple per episode until one remains. The winning couple will receive a free wedding package that includes a luxury wedding at the newly renovated Coral Gables Country Club, 997 North Greenway Drive, a honeymoon in The Bahamas, and a wedding dress and tuxedo from David’s Bridal Boutique. If interested, please register for the casting call by clicking here or in person at the Country Club. For more information, call 305-392-0819.

Venetian Pool Reopens To The Public

The Venetian Pool, located at 2701 DeSoto Boulevard, has reopened its doors, after being closed for a few months for general repairs and maintenance. From now until April 3, the pool opens Tuesdays through Sundays, from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. From April 4 through May 29, the pool is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The Venetian Pool is a great location to hold a birthday party and offers an excellent weekend party package available from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Cost is only $265 for the first 15 guests which includes the location, tables, chairs, food and refreshments. Additional guests pay extra and there’s a maximum of 30 guests per birthday area. All Venetian Pool visitors must be at least three years of age or at least 38 inches tall. For more information, contact the Venetian Pool at 305-460-5306.

Passport Office At City Hall Is Open On Saturday Mornings

From now until March 26, the Passport Acceptance Facility at Coral Gables City Hall will be open on Saturdays, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., in conjunction with the Farmers Market activities. If you’re looking to obtain a new passport or renew your existing one, this facility located at the City Clerk’s Office on the first floor of 405 Biltmore Way offers convenient services with no lines and no appointments necessary. Photographic services are also provided. Applicants must bring proof of citizenship and proof of identity. For a list of requirements to obtain a passport, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 305-460-5351.