2025 The Year in Review
2025 has been an exciting year for the city, especially with the April elections that fundamentally shifted the political balance of power and the city’s fiscal agenda. It was also a time of transition, with the passing of the head of the Coral Gables Chamber and the resignation of the Gables Community Foundation CEO – both fortunately replaced with top choices. The festivals have continued, new companies and celebrities have moved in, and the city has spent the entire year celebrating its 100th birthday.
January
Beaux Art Returns
Founded in 1952, Beaux Arts returns for its 74th annual Festival of Art, featuring over 240 juried artists (supported by a cast of all-volunteers) on the University of Miami campus. Proceeds go to the Lowe Art Museum and to arts access and education in Coral Gables.
Survey Says
The Coral Gables Community Foundation releases its first “Community Needs Assessment” survey, based on resident input. The results reveal that the No. 1 concern among citizens was housing affordability, followed by concerns about civility in local government (No. 2) and bicycle safety and lanes (No. 3).
Rojas Out, Parjus In
After one year in office, City Manager Amos Rojas, Jr. retires. Rojas, a former U.S. Marshal, had been hired in a controversial 3-2 City Commission vote by Commissioners Kirk Menendez, Ariel Fernandez, and Melissa Castro, despite his lack of qualifications. He is replaced in another 3-2 vote, with no search process, by Deputy City Manager Alberto Parjus.
Smugglers Caught
In the space of less than two weeks, Coral Gables police interdict two different human smuggling operations. Both take place on Old Cutler Road, and both are intercepted based on citizens calling in tips. In one raid, Gables police discovered 21 migrants – 19 Chinese nationals plus one Ecuadorian and one Cuban – in a U-Haul. In the second, Gables police stopped two vans with 13 Chinese migrants – men and women – in each vehicle.
Our Famous Feminist
The television game show Jeopardy recognizes Coral Gables activist Roxcy Bolton with a clue about what day she was “the driving force” behind (Answer: National Women’s Equality Day).
February
Ultimate Road Rally
Considered by Italians to be the “Most Beautiful Race in the World,” Italy’s 1000 Miglia starts a three-day cross-Florida competition from the Biltmore Hotel. Some 127 cars, of brands that include Ferrari, Bugatti, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Lamborghini, Jaguar, and Fiat, participated. Gables-based MG Developer partnered with the 1000 Miglia Experience Florida, welcoming dignitaries, classic car drivers, and officials from the Italian consulate.
Kitchen Redux
The Tour of Kitchens is back for its 16th year! The self-guided tour organized by the Coral Gables Community takes participants to 11 homes (and their kitchens) in the Gables, drawing over 1,000 foodies and home design enthusiasts from all over Miami. Proceeds benefit the Culinary Arts Program at Coral Gables High School.
Another Tech Co Arrives
Kandji, a global Apple device management and security company, opens its new East Coast headquarters at The Plaza Coral Gables with 30,000-square-feet of penthouse office space. Kandji wanted to neighbor with Apple itself (also now at The Plaza), and was impressed with the Gables’ Smart City initiatives.
Mark Trowbridges Passes
Mark A. Trowbridge, 56, the legendary leader of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, suffers from deadly complications during his recovery from blood cancer. Trowbridge is credited with creating the most successful chamber of commerce in the State of Florida. He served as its president and CEO for almost 19 years.
The Garden Club Turns 100
The Coral Gables Garden Club, which is dedicated to educating the public in gardening, horticulture, environmental issues, and community beautification, celebrates its 100th anniversary with the “A Century in Bloom” event at the Merrick House.
March
Mary Snow Resigns
After 11 years as CEO of the Coral Gables Community Foundation (CGCF), Mary Snow moves on. During her tenure, the CGCF increased its annual community impact from less than $100,000 to over $5 million and instituted numerous community programs, including a highly successful scholarship fund for local high schoolers. Her best remembered project may be the Umbrellas over Giralda Plaza, which gained national recognition and drew thousands of visitors to the street.
Time Capsule for 2125
One hundred years to the day after George Merrick’s team broke ground for the Biltmore Hotel, a star-studded array of local officials assembles to commemorate the event by witnessing the placement of a time capsule in front of the iconic building that, for many, symbolizes the city. The MC for the event was Tom Prescott who is now running the hotel for his family’s Seaway Corporation.
A Month of Festivals
March begins with the return of Carnaval on the Mile, attended by tens of thousands of celebrants. This is followed by Feria de Sevilla en Miami on Alhambra Circle, showcasing the traditions of Spain’s Andalusia region. In mid-March, the 32nd annual John Martin’s St. Patrick’s Street Festival celebrates with Irish whiskey and Guinness beer.
April
The “Lady” Unveiled at UM
The University of Miami unveils “Lady,” a 50-foot steel sculpture by American artist John Henry. Painted in Coca-Cola red and installed in front of the Lowe Art Museum, the piece was a gift from the Palley family, which has supported the arts at UM for decades.
The Election Power Shift
A highly contentious election season ends with three Coral Gables Commission seats filled. Mayor Vince Lago and Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson are both re-elected in the first round of voting, while Commissioner Richard Lara is elected in a runoff. The election is seen as a vindication of the agendas of Lago and Anderson, which include fiscal responsibility, managed growth, lower taxes, green space expansion, tree canopy protection, environmental sustainability, and greater voter participation.
Parking Discounts
Commissioner Melissa Castro launches a new program to give city residents a 25 percent parking discount, using the PaybyPhone app. Residents apply by emailing parking@coralgables.com with a copy of their driver’s license, vehicle registration or title, and proof of residency.
UM’s 100th Anniversary Party
The University of Miami celebrates the 100th anniversary of its charter with thousands of students, alumni, and Coral Gables residents. The evening features performances by UM alumni that include singer/songwriter Bruce Hornsby, jazz guitarist Pat Metheny, and pop legend Jon Secada.
City National Bank HQ
In one of South Florida’s largest office transactions, City National Bank of Florida announces it will move its headquarters to Coral Gables. The bank takes nearly 145,000-square-feet of office space on LeJeune Road, which formerly housed the Infiniti car dealership. City National Bank has almost $30 billion in assets
Paradise With a Street Party
The Miracle Theatre hosts a play written by former TV journalist and local resident June Morris, celebrating the day that Coral Gables was incorporated 100 years ago. The play, “Post Cards from Paradise,” is the story of Morris’ grandmother moving to the Gables in 1926. Morris’ mother, Dorothy Thomson, was the only female mayor of the Gables. Salzedo Street shuts down for a 1920s-themed dinner party.
May
The New City Commission Meets
In a return to City Hall, the newly re-elected mayor of Coral Gables, Vince Lago, calls a special meeting of the City Commission. In a whirlwind 2.5 hours, the new commission approves a slew of legislation, including votes to: move elections to November; reign in lengthy and abusive tirades from citizens; slash commissioner salaries that had been doubled under the previous Fernandez-Castro-Menendez regime; require super-majority votes to spend monies from the city reserves; hire an inspector general; and cut commissioner expense accounts in half.
Peter Iglesias Reinstated
City Manager Peter Iglesias is reinstated, after having been removed for political reasons the year before by Commissioners Fernandez, Castro, and Menendez. Iglesias, first appointed in 2018, was responsible for bringing in the Streetscape and Public Safety Building projects on time and under budget, as well as converting city government to paperless digital systems.
A Record For Scholarships
The Coral Gables Community Foundation distributes a record $3.25 million in scholarships to local high schoolers, nearly triple the previous year’s $1.42 million. The Community Foundation has awarded 694 scholarships for a total of $6.28 million since its inception in 1991.
Gables Rep Trims Cell Phone Use
In a House bill led by Republican State Rep. Demi Busatta of Coral Gables, Florida lawmakers approve legislation that bans younger students from using their cellular devices for the entire school day. House Bill 1105 still allows high school students to use their phones outside of instructional time.
June
A New Foundation Head
Mauricio Vivero is appointed the new CEO and president of the Coral Gables Community Foundation. A nationally respected philanthropy leader, Vivero has helped channel $200 million in grants with foundations from New York to Seattle.
Chapman Field Reopens
Following a longer-than-anticipated 11-year closure to remove abnormally high arsenic levels from the soil, 483-acre Chapman Field Park reopens. The ribbon-cutting ceremony features Miami-Dade County officials including County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. The park, at the southern tip of the Gables, features two baseball diamonds and facilities for soccer and flag football.
Seniors Protest
Gables seniors take to the streets, many from their assisted living facilities, to protest the administration’s threatened cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and immigration policies they fear will deport their caregivers and support staff.
The Underline Arrives
Coral Gables resident Meg Daly became a local hero when she led the effort to turn the space under the Metro Rail into a multi-mile recreational zone with pocket parks and greenspaces. The Underline, which completed its first phase in Brickell in 2021, finally reaches the Gables with a groundbreaking for pickleball and basketball courts, an outdoor gym, and a mini soccer pitch, all open to the public at no cost by the summer of 2026.
July
Castro’s Cause
The City Commission votes to censure Commissioner Melissa Castro (above) for going to the state attorney general, without Commission consensus or discussion, to ask for a reversal of the vote to move elections to November. The Commission later decides to put the issue up for public referendum, per Castro’s request.
Biltmore to Use Parking Fees
The Biltmore wins the right to charge for parking at its enormous west parking lot. Funds will be used for historic restoration of the hotel.
A Major Theater Gift
GableStage announces a major gift from Jessie Fox Wolfson on behalf of The Wolfson Family. The theater, located at the Biltmore Hotel, will now be known as The Wolfson Family Theatre, while the theater company remains GableStage.
Faster Permitting
Reacting to resident complaints, the city decides to add 20 full-time positions and $1.3 million to the Building Department to accelerate the city’s permitting process.
Our Next Celebrity
British pop music star Robbie Williams pays $40 million for a seven-bedroom water-front mansion in the Old Cutler Bay neighborhood of the Gables. The record price purchase is reported everywhere from the New York Post to the Robb Report.
Mayor Vindicated
Mayor Vince Lago drops his defamation lawsuit against Radio Station Actualidad (1040 AM) for a mid-six-figure payment. Lago filed suit two years ago when the program “Contacto Directo” reported he was under investigation by the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust. In fact, the Commission decided not to investigate after reviewing a complaint.
August
Kawalerski Ejected
In a rare move, the City Commission votes to remove civic activist Sue Kawalerski from the city’s Planning and Zoning Board, after Kawalerski clashed with County Commissioner Raquel Regalado over the county’s power to control zoning around public transportation hubs.
A Phishing Investigation
The city deepens its investigation into potential “phishing” by Commissioner Ariel Fernandez, who allegedly used a fake company to collect polling information from city residents, using hidden tracking links to log responses for future campaign targeting. Fernandez, who denies all allegations, is also at risk for lying about his involvement, which could lead to impeachment and first-degree misdemeanor charges. Fernandez misses four Commission meetings.
Mosaicist Fund Announced
Local philanthropist Ray Corral announces the Mosaic Fund to help local artists, following Gov. DeSantis’s decision to cut all state funding for the arts. The fund is supported by the city’s art and culture specialist Catherine Cathers and the Coral Gables Community Foundation.
Bonnie Protests
Bonnie Bolton, daughter of legendary feminist Roxcy Bolton, leads an effort to save the Garden of Our Lord, and the adjacent St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, from the developer’s wrecking ball in North Gables.
September
Robot Invasion
The downtown is invaded by an army of wheeled delivery robots, deployed mostly for food deliveries through UberEats by the Serve Robotics company. The AI-powered bots have their own names and can be operated remotely by humans.
St. Theresa’s Birthday
St. Theresa Catholic School, the oldest operating school in Coral Gables (and all of Miami-Dade County) celebrates its 100th birthday, raising money for its church, the Church of the Little Flower.
Belt Tightening Ahead
Mayor Vince Lago delivers his annual State of the City address to the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce at its induction ceremony for its board of directors. Lago warns of financial uncertainty ahead and lays out his vision for fiscal belt-tightening to protect the city’s financial reserves.
Live Local Arrives
Live Local – the state program that allows developers who include affordable housing to break local zoning codes – officially arrives in the form of Shoma Group’s high-rise development, Ponce 8, on Eighth Street. Gables-based Shoma graciously proposes the mixed-use project at only 16 stories, which is within the zoning code.
October
A New Chamber President
The Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce announces that Jorge L. Arrizurieta will become its new CEO and president, replacing the late Mark Trowbridge. Arrizurieta brings an impressive resume to the job, including 14 years with business mogul Wayne Huizenga (Blockbuster Video), campaign work for both the Bush presidencies, and four years as president and CEO of the Florida FTAA.
Another Celebrity Arrives
Canadian singer and Grammy Award winner The Weeknd (“Blinding Lights,” “The Hills,” “Save Your Tears”) breaks all home- price records by purchasing a $50 million estate on Biscayne Bay in the gated Gables Estates neighborhood. The eight-bed, 11-bath home includes a 62-foot infinity pool with mosaic floors.
Game On
Gables stationery and gift shop Bliss Imprints announces that it will create Gables-Opoly, a custom board game based on Monopoly, in partnership with the city and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. Guess which property will replace Boardwalk?
Gables High Turns 75
Coral Gables Senior High School – the only public high school in the City Beautiful and one of the oldest schools in Miami – celebrates its 75th birthday. The A-rated school serves students from the Gables and across Miami-Dade County.
November
Nights of Lights
Another perennial favorite returns in the form of Night Garden at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, in which thousands of locals stroll the jungles at night amid mind-bending light displays and drink stations.
Trolley Expansion
Gableites take advantage of the new Southern Loop trolley route, which links the Douglas Road Metrorail Station (where the north-south Ponce de Leon trolley route now ends) with the Gables boundary of Red Road (aka Southwest 57th Avenue). Along the way, the trolley stops at the UM Metrorail Station, the Underline, West Lab, Lennar, and San Amaro Drive.
Pirates Welcome
The annual Rum Renaissance Festival returns with a two-day celebration at the Marriott Courtyard Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Woman’s Club. More than 10,000 people attend in the city where Bacardi is headquartered.
December
Reindeer Alert
Santa Claus returns to Coral Gables, showing up in a ceremony outside of City Hall.
Parade Alert
The Junior Orange bowl parade fills the streets of the Gables with marching bands and parade floats, to the joy of children and adults of all ages.
Carolers Alert
The annual Merrick Festival Caroling Competition takes place from Dec. 3 through 7 at the 550 Building on Biltmore Way. An eagerly awaited holiday tradition in the City of Coral Gables, the competition began in 1987 and now features 30 choirs from middle and high schools across South Florida. The festival has donated over $650,000 to help support local music programs.